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South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2011

Comfort foods, which encompass everything from childhood favorites and dishes like “grandma used to make” to sweets and treats, have grown in popularity over the last few years. Why? Best-selling cookbook author and TV star Rachael Ray says it’s a sign of tough economic times.

“Even the greatest chefs in the world have to make their food accessible, and I think food trucks and single item restaurants, comfort foods, fancy burgers and dogs - things that harken back to your grandfather’s time or your mom’s time - are going to remain the trend," she said.