According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “junk food,” is “food that has a low nutritional value and is typically packaged in snacks that require little or no preparation”. Is there such a concept as meticulously prepared, decadent junk food? Can junk food, well, be sophisticated ?
We wanted to fight the stigma of “junk” food in honor of National Junk Food Day. Even if it meant taking on Oxford University Press. We scoured the Offset Collection for high-end editorial food photography and selected our favorites to prove our point. We present to you pizza with peas, prosciutto and deep-fried eggs, as well as gelato sandwich.
Gordon Ramsey, a celebrity chef, caused a stir in 2003 when he stated that he wanted his children to be aware of junk food. Other chefs objected to the idea that he would not refine their palates at a young age. But they didn’t realize this: fine dining and junk food aren’t mutually exclusive.
Ernestine Ulmer, a relatively unknown writer of the 20th century, is remembered for her two perfect sentences “Life Is Uncertain”. Eat dessert first.” Decades later, her logic still stands. Happy National Junk Food Day!