Kao Ka Moo is the crown jewel of Thai foods

[alpacinou]

Have I used "crown jewel" or "the jewel in the crown" correctly?

Are these okay?

1. Kao Ka Moo is the crown jewel of Thai foods.
2. Kao Ka Moo is the jewel in the crown of Thai foods.

 

[Tarheel]

I like the first one.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "food" rather than "foods" in both.

 

[GoodTaste]

I'd use "food" rather than "foods" in both.

I wonder why "foods" rather than "food" is used in the following context:

There is also not enough food, partly driven by the government’s decision in May 2021 to impose a nationwide ban on chemical fertilizers, which drastically cut agricultural production and drove up the price of staple foods such as rice and vegetables. Fishing boats don’t have diesel or kerosene to catch fish, an important source of protein. Inflation exceeds 50%, pushing many people into a situation where they can’t afford to eat three meals a day. (Source: Nature)

Why not simply "the price of staple food"?

 

[emsr2d2]

I wonder why "foods" rather than "food" is used in the following context:

In that context, it's clear that they're talking about specific foods. They give "rice and vegetables" as specific examples. However, when talking about the cuisine of a country, we generally use the uncountable "food".

I like French food.
That's the best thing about Spanish food.
It's the crown jewel of Thai food.