What Is Classy Eating?

Over a century ago, a class meal meant endless platters of Oysters Rockefeller, partridge and wine sorbet. In th e Fifties it was deigned as lobster and any cocktail. The Eighties brought about a new standard classy eats. How is it defined today.? Therein lies the a good foodie question. The concept was the subject of an article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. The piece , written by Dining regular Jeff Gordinier, writes about the evolution of sophisticated foods. At one time Famous Amos' cookies were considered good eats along with pasta salad and sun dried tomatoes.(Mind you this was back in the Cheap But Glamorous 1980''s era) Nowadays it's anything artisanal attached to its name. As with hand embroidered or hand knitted goods, homemade stuff that is considered classy - even valuable. Certain companies such as that ever luxurious Godiva have jumped on this creating a line of hand made chocolates with unusual flavors. This is an on going completion with all the new boutique chocolatiers who make their candies by hand with unusual flavors and fillings. Some foods will always remain class acts as Mr. Gordinier;s article states. Take pears for instance. They are still considered a luxury item A lot of consumers got them from fruit companies such as Harry and David's out in the Pacific Northwest. Now , however, you can go to any artesanal farm and pick them yourself. (they may even have a history.) Lobster will remain a luxury food because of all the hype attached to it. After all it was nothing more than a poor man's seafood and was served regularly to Ellis Island detainees almost on daily basis. Somehow the tables turned in the late Forties and lobster was the chic food to have , especially in restaurants. other foods such as asparagus and steak will always remain on ultra rich list too. What makes a food luxurious? The era. Like clothing, and music, food is also influenced by the times around it. What make be considered poorman's food today be be the the next luxury. What may be considered posh now will be considered passe later on.