Close your eyes and imagine digging a fork into your favorite comfort food. The savory smell trails upward, tickling your nose and making your mouth water in anticipation. That first bite is so warm and delicious. From first bite to last, it’s like cuddling with a warm blanket in front of a crackling fire.

Ahhhh ….

Comfort food. Just the thought of it washes away stress.

That may be why comfort food made the list in the National Restaurant Association’s 10 hot food trends for 2023. Digging into a favored comfort food is one of the best de-stressors. So, it’s time to make comfort food front and center on your menu. But there’s a twist. Today’s customers are looking for upscale comfort food. 

It makes for a simple equation: Warmth + A New Food Experience = Smart Business.

Mac and cheese:

Have you ever melted Cooper® into milk and mixed it with hearty macaroni? If you haven’t, you need to give it a try, stat. Our cheese was made for melting. Nothing is as gratifying as mac and cheese made with a mix of our Sharp American White and Yellow. 

Upscale options are endless. Here are just a few to get you started:

• Top it with baked pancetta or bacon. 
• Chunks of lobster or shrimp will give it class.
• Heat it up with Sriracha, Buffalo sauce or our Black Pepper flavor Cooper® Sharp.
• Think outside the (macaroni) box by using fresh tortellini or gnocchi instead.

Grilled cheese:

We can’t argue that slices of melted Cooper® cheese sandwiched between two slices of bread is heavenly by itself. For customers who want a bit more, try a few of these additions:

• Salty or seasoned meats like ham, salami, or pepperoni. Add pickles or pickled veggies for extra flair.
• Grilled cheese for breakfast? Yes, please. A fried egg and bacon notches it up a level. To take it to the top, add an onion jam, chunky guacamole, or change up the "bread" to cinnamon raisin or (gasp!) a sliced donut!
• Sliced apricots and pears are always welcome to a Cooper® grilled cheese dinner.

Or, how about this? Instead of sliced cheese, fill the sandwich with your mac and cheese creation and grill. Best. Dinner. Ever.

Meatballs:

Say sayonara to marinara. Kick up your favorite meatballs by stuffing them with Cooper®. Serve over egg noodles, or, bestill our hearts, spoon over french fries for the ultimate upscale comfort food.

Potatoes:

They’re a customer favorite. Make them au gratin by baking with both Cooper Sharp Black Pepper and White American cheeses. Baked with shredded Cooper® cheese and top with any number of ingredients: bacon, mushrooms, fresh herbs, chunks of juicy grilled chicken, or spinach. Better yet, merge two comfort foods in one by adding a sloppy joe mixture; pepperoni and pizza sauce; or taco meat, diced tomatoes, and black olives for down-home flavors.

Help your customers unwind by adding some of these upscale comfort food ideas to your menu. You’ll win their hearts with a bit of nostalgia. And you’ll win their business by giving them an experience they won’t soon forget.

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