I would also like to be able to eat food for out of combat healing--and for short rests to not require food. It would just make for more interesting trade-offs.
I usually avoid using food for healing in games with potions since potions are plentiful and heal more efficiently than food.
Unless ingredients are combined into a dish, it usually doesn't have as much of an effect as a potion, and even then it's less effective, so it's more work for less benefit.
However, it makes sense that way, as potions are meant to heal quickly and to a greater extent than food and rest.
If they buffed the food, potions wouldn't be as necessary, and if they buffed both, they could become unbalanced.
An alternative, I think, would be to have potions become less common, have food fuel Short Rests (rather than Long Rests) and have food that's eaten restore a good amount of health (comparable to potions) over time and give temporary bonuses (depending on the ingredient/dish) after that time passes.
