I predict almost no one using buffed food after about 1 or 2 months and using it just for hunger mostly because buffs rarely matter for a +10ish or less.
The first 1 or so months people will likely be running through the resources they have, so leveling up skills, testing buffs, and using up resources before decay.
I think the buff system on food is good, just that until some reason why we need these buffs. Most games have end game content that require high stats. Either PVP, or Raid Bosses etc. Considering a 1 week old toon can get gear from players that anyone can wear and kill the hardest animals in the game. Being there is no PVP in the game (PVP server is dead) there is no competitive aspect to use buffs.
PVP is not dead "ABT" we are with 4-5 daily active ..
and a small amount of other people
I expect the side of buffs being used from cooking is likely to lower the eating time, eating them for healing HP or energy. Buffs are likely not a major factor. Eating food in 8s vs 30s is a factor.