World Harvest Foods, Champaign Illinois

What is Gourmet Food and why is it special and interesting?

Gourmet food is not just “food as fuel”. It’s not the sandwich that you grab for lunch, or the bagel you eat for breakfast. Gourmet food is often the whole or a part of some delicious, well-prepared meal, a festive occasion, or a party.

And yet, with the right ingredients that sandwich, and even the bagel, could be of gourmet quality and be savored. Gourmet food is generally of higher quality than the food that you buy in a supermarket. It may be foreign - and remind you of exotic vacations.

It may include spices and sauces that you have never tried before. You may be wanting to replicate a delicious meal that you have had at a great restaurant. Food should be fun.   Nutritionists are discovering that food eaten when people are feeling good and taking their time has more benefit than food eaten in a rush. So gourmet food can be part of a plan to eat better. It can be more satisfying (and less fattening!) to have one really exquisite piece of chocolate than to eat a whole, bar of cheap chocolate. You can find almost every type of food in gourmet selections. Take a look. Find something that you’ve always wanted to try. Be bold - try something new. You might like it!