Old School Thursday: Zigazig AH Edition

Today is National Raisin and Spice Bar Day. Which is fitting because today is also the 14th anniversary of the Spice Girls' first concert in the UK (in Glasgow).

Happy Thursday, girls of the world:

Old School: Cornstarch Crepes Edition

The only food history of note today is this: today in 1841, an Englishman named Orlando Jones (no, not that Orlando Jones) patented cornstarch. Maybe the oddest bit of trivia ever?

Fortunately, it's also National Bavarian Crepes Day, so March 22nd is saved from only being known for cornstarch.

I guess.

Old School Thursday: Ides of March with Dipping Sauce Edition

Today is, of course, the Ides of March - the day on which Julius Caesar was stabbed. But what else happened on this fateful day?

As it turns out, not much, except this: Today in 1980, McDonald's introduced the Chicken McNugget in the test market of Knoxville, Tennessee. And how did they test market? Well, they were rolled out to everyone in 1983 and almost 30 years later, we're still eating them. And though McDonald's doesn't publish the exact number sold each year, I feel pretty confident saying that we eat...a lot of them.

So there it is - Caesar and processed chicken. What a day.

Old School Thursday: Sixer of Coke Edition

Happy National Peanut Cluster Day?
Beyond that, today is kind of a dud. Oh, the first 6-pack of Coke was introduced today in 1923, but that feels like small potatoes.

Although, a Coke and a peanut cluster does sound like a nice snack.

Old School Thursday: No Beer in Iceland? Edition

Not only is today National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day and National Fruit Compote Day, it’s also National Pig Day. And to that I say, that’ll do, pig. That’ll do.

A lot happened in food history today, all of which seems like it’s from the wrong era. Today in 1784, the first cooking school was opened in Great Britian, likely providing fodder for loads of “British cooking” jokes. Or maybe it’s just that we make those jokes today? Did anyone joke about food quality in the 18th century?

But that’s not the stuff that’s so notably out of whack with it’s time.

Fast-forward almost two centuries to 1970, when U.S. commercial whale hunting ended – but doesn’t it seem crazy that whale hunting and bell-bottoms existed in the U.S. at the same time? Even crazier, it was just in 1989 that a 75 year long Iceland ban on beer ended. Beer prohibition in 1989?

And on the other end of that spectrum, today in 1990, the Royal New Zealand Navy rum ration finally ended. New Zealand is a long way from Iceland in more ways than one, I guess.

So how to celebrate today? Maybe with some kind of crazy vintage recipe? Preferably with beer, especially if you’re Icelandic. Especially then.

Old School Thursday: Good Stories Edition

Today is National Banana Bread Day. Banana bread is really pretty delicious, and also a great way to use overripe bananas, so I’m not going to complain.

Especially since so many other interesting things happened today, starting with the birth of Cesar Ritz – founder of the eponymous hotel chain – which happened today in 1850. Without Ritz, we wouldn’t have the Ritz bar in Paris and without the Ritz bar in Paris, we what would Hemingway have become? I shudder to think.

A generation or so later, in 1896, the world saw another type of birth, when the Tootsie Roll was sold for the first time by Leo Hirshfield, at his little store in New York.

And finally, today in 1944, Leo Hendrik Baekeland, creator of Bakelite plastic, died. Bakelite has an interesting history – both from a product development standpoint (the plastic knobs on old stoves were made of Bakelite – as well as a lot of other things) and also for more nefarious reasons. Bakelite contributed to the downfall of famed Vermeer forger Han van Meeregen. He used Bakelite as part of his forgery technique and recent chemical analyses of his paintings identified the Bakelite, proving that they were forgeries. (This book is a great retelling of the van Meeregen story.)

Expatriates, art forgers and iconic American candy brands? All in one day? Seems like today deserves a little more than a slice of celebratory banana bread.

Old School Thursday: The Happiest Day of 1933 Edition

Today is National Almond Day and the Feast of Sticky Buns (sure) and also Richard McDonald’s (one of the founders of the restaurant bearing his name and also the designer of the Golden Arches) birthday. Plus, it’s Ice T’s birthday.


But most importantly – by far – is that today in 1933, Prohibition was repealed.

I can’t think of a better day to celebrate, can you?

Old School Thursday: Cavities Edition

Today is National Bagel and Lox Day, though it should probably be National Hard Candy Day or something like that, since it is also St. Apollonia’s day and she is the patron of dentists (and there is probably a Prince joke in there, but I’m too lazy to figure it out).

Appropriately, today in 1894, Hershey’s Chocolate Company was founded as a subsidiary of the Lancaster Caramel Company. Dentists thank you, Milton Hershey. So does St. Apollonia.

Old School Thursday: Groundhog Day (among other things) Edition

Kind of a big day today. In addition to it being Groundhog Day (shoutout to Punxsutawney Phil, who made his debut in 1887), today is also National Heavenly Hash Day and California Kiwifruit Day. Heavenly hash and kiwi – to me, that screams ‘80s, though I’m sure heavenly hash is really more ‘50s.


Now on to the good stuff – and it is good stuff. Today in 1659, Jan van Riebeeck, who was then governor of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, made his first wine from grapes he’s planted on the cape in 1655. Winemakers all over South Africa rejoice.

It’s also an enormous day for the French. Today is Talleyrand’s birthday (1754) – the French statesman whose chefs included Bouchee, Careme and Avice - and also the anniversary of the death of Brillat-Savarin (1826), whose contribution to food criticism and philosophy just can’t be measured.

Those anniversaries bookend a February 2, 1795 announcement of a French government prize going to someone who invented a method of preserving food to transport to the French army – the prize was won by Nicholas Appert for his canning method.

And finally, today in 1897, Alfred Cralle of Pittsburgh patented the basic ice cream scooper design still used today.

So much to celebrate today – including, apparently, six more weeks of winter. It’s been a warm winter so far, but it looks like that ice cream scooper might come in handy for snowball-making, after all.

Old School Thursday: Vices & Fixes Edition

National Peanut Brittle Day! Woohoo! Actually, I really do like peanut brittle. Also, today in 1875, the first battery-powered dentist’s drill earned a patent for George F. Green of Kalamazoo – and I can’t help but think the need for dentist drills and peanut brittle are closely linked. In my mouth, at least (and believe me, I’ve seen many a dentist drill).

In other January 26th news, today is St. Timothy’s Day and he is the patron saint of NO stomachaches. So useful!

In 1838, Tennessee passed a temperance law, the first state in the union to do so. To that, I say boo. And Tennessee, the land of bourbon, of all places!

Finally, today in 1932, William Wrigley, Jr., of chewing gum and baseball stadium fame, passed away.

So to celebrate today, eat some brittle, gum, drink some bourbon – and pray that you avoid both stomachaches and dentist drills, at least for the time being.

Old School Thursday: Pop Goes the Can Edition

Today is National Popcorn Day – and popcorn is one of those foods that definitely does deserve a national day of celebration. It’s so festive, for one thing, and historically significant, for another. Go popcorn!

In other January 19th news, today in 1825, the first U.S. patent for food storage in cans was granted to Ezra Daggett and Thomas Kensett. Hipsters everywhere thank you, Mssrs. Daggett and Kensett.

So that’s it. Popcorn in a can, anyone?

Old School Thursday: Careme Edition

It’s National Marzipan Day. Sure – why not?


The other big news in food history is that on January 12, 1833, Marie-Antoine Careme passed away at the tender age of 48. Careme was chef to a host of famous food-lovers, including Talleyrand, the future George IV of England, Russian Emperor Alexander I and Baron James de Rothschild, whose name alone gives wine lovers a little tingle. As much time as Careme spent cooking, he also spent writing, recording tons of recipes, in addition to culinary history, instructions for kitchen organization and management and careful explanations of food presentation.

So maybe National Marzipan Day really is appropriate. Especially if the marzipan is used for a beautiful, elaborate dessert created in memory of Careme.

Old School Thursday: All Ages Edition

Welcome to the last Old School Thursday of 2011! Today is Pepper Pot Day and National Chocolate Again Day and I have no idea what either one of those things mean. Fitting, I guess, since I’m never totally clear on the established days of recognition.

It’s also Robert C. Baker’s birthday (1921). Who is Robert C. Baker, you ask? A former Poultry and Food Science professor from Cornell – WHO INVENTED CHICKEN NUGGETS. The children of the world say thank you, Professor Baker.

And six years ago today, Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans reopened it’s doors, just four months after Hurricane Katrina forced it to close. I’m sure New Orleans isn’t exactly what it was before the hurricane, but its story is certainly one of resilience, isn’t it? Inspiring.

So celebrate today…with a chicken nugget po’boy maybe? Chicken nugget gumbo? Chicken nugget etouffe? Or maybe let the kids have the nuggets and keep the NOLA food for the grown-ups.

Old School Thursday: Winter=Kit's Birthday Edition

Today is, of course, the Winter Solstice, which means that starting tomorrow, every day will get a little longer. Nice! It’s also National Date Nut Bread Day, which sounds good, I guess. But really it should be National Angel Food Cake with Pink Marshmallow Frosting and Peppermint Ice Cream Day. Because it is my birthday and growing up, that is what I requested every year.


And for dinner: chicken divan. Though this year, since I would have to make it and I just made a few weeks ago, we’ll be going out to dinner. Clementine, I think, because it’s always good and friendly and Dixon likes it there.

So happy winter, everyone! And happy National Angel Food Cake with Pink Marshmallow Frosting and Peppermint Ice Cream Day!

Old School Thursday: Helpful Europeans Edition

Today is National Lemon Cupcake Day, which doesn’t really feel full of the spirit of the season, but I guess cupcakes are full of holiday spirit as much as any other sweet food is? We’ve got at least one cupcake on our counter right now, next to the gingerbread house. It’s not lemon, but still.


Today’s also a big day for old Europe. Today in 1686, Isaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation, passed away.

A few hundred years later, in 1902, also on December 15th, Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet died. Who is he, you ask? Only someone we all owe a great debt to – Millardet is the botanist who saved the French vineyards from destruction by phylloxera.

Phylloxera is a fungus native to North America, but it was introduced to Europe during the late 19th century and very nearly destroyed the vineyards of France. Today, the vines of Europe are hybrids that have been grafted with phylloxera-resistant rootstock – a practice begun by Millardet and fellow French botanist Jules Emile Planchon. The phylloxera epidemic also plays a big role in the evaluation of very old wines for authenticity, since wines that are legitimately pre-phylloxera are different, structurally, from wines available after the epidemic.

At any rate, thank you, M. Millardet!

And finally, today in 1903, Italo Marchiony received a patent for an ice cream cup mold, into which he folded warm waffles to create an ice cream cone.

Fish, wine, ice cream. And don’t forget the lemon cupcakes! It’s quite a day.

Old School Thursday: American Innovation Edition

Today is National Brownie Day, but it’s mostly notable because it’s Eli Whitney’s birthday (1765). Whitney, of course, was the inventor of the cotton gin. And what does that have to do with food, you ask? Well, Whitney did invent the concept of mass producing interchangeable parts, without which, we wouldn’t have mass-scale manufacturing (and that includes a lot of food products).


Plus, it’s got “gin” in the name. Yes, I know it’s not that type of gin. We’ll take what we can get here.

Old School Thursday: Culture-Rich Edition

Happy December, everybody! Not only is today National Pie Day (wasn’t that last week?) and “Eat a Red Apple Day” (keeps the doctor away), it’s also St. Eligius Day and he is a patron of agricultural workers and knife makers. Certainly a good friend for any foodie to have.


In other, totally random, food news today, on December 1, 1885, Dr. Pepper was sold for the very first time. Of course, the company’s real triumph came in 1962, when it introduced its first diet product. Diet Dr. Pepper…it really does taste just like the regular!

Today in 1936, the first patent was issued for a commercial scale hydroponic system for plant culture, making inventors Ernest Walfrid Brundin and Frank F. Lyon heroes to dry land farmers and weed smokers everywhere.

And, finally, today is Eric Bloom’s birthday (1944) – he’s best known as the lead singer for Blue Oyster Cult, which of course has nothing to do with regular oysters, but at least it’s an “R” month.

So to all of that, we say more pie, more Peppers, more hydroponics and, of course, “More Cowbell.”

Old School Thursday: Yeast & Preservatives Edition

Today offers all kinds of choices in the baked goods category. It’s National Bread Day and also the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, patron of bakers. So there’s that. Plus, it’s National Baklava Day, so if you like your pastry phyllo-style, with a little honey, you’re in good shape.


In other news, today in 1749, Nicolas Appert was born. Nicolas Appert, you ask? Who’s he? Only the inventor of canning. Foodzie sellers and urban farmers everywhere owe him a major debt.

Fast-forward over two centuries: today in 1988 the first Wal-Mart Super Center opened in Wheeler, Oklahoma. I’m not much of a Wal-Mart fan myself – around here, it’s just about next to Target and Target is so much prettier. But I certainly appreciate the company’s efforts to provide lots and lots of stuff to lots of people, very inexpensively. Also, I appreciate that Wal-Mart gives small town kids something to do that doesn’t involve drinking in the woods somewhere. At least they can roam around the produce aisle.

So today, get your canning on! Also, your baked goods!

Old School Thursday: Boring, Yet Holy Edition

Today is National Vanilla Cupcake Day, proving that even boring (though delicious) foods need their day in the sun.


It’s also St. Tryphon day, the patron of gardeners – a patronage he shares with St. Sebastian, St. Gertrude of Nivelles and St. Fiacres, and probably a lot more saints who don’t have honorary days falling on Thursday this year. According to Catholic.org, there are more than 10,000 saints, and even the church doesn’t have a complete count. Not all of them have honorary days, but even if only a third of them do, well, it’s easy to see why there’s some doubling up for the gardeners.

And that’s about it for today. Enjoy that vanilla cupcake!

Old School Thursday: Freezing Sandwiches Edition

Today is a big day. For one thing, it’s John Montague’s birthday (1718). Who is John Montague, you ask? Why, he’s the 4th Earl of Sandwich, of course. The one who, according to legend, invented the sandwich when he didn’t want to break from a particularly riveting card game to eat.


Appropriately, then, today is Sandwich Day.

It’s also St. Hubert’s Day. He is the patron saint of hunters…because you need some meat for that sandwich.

In other news, today in 1832, Sir John Leslie, the first person to artificially create ice, passed away. He paved the way for our next milestone – on November 3, 1952, frozen peas were added to the Birdseye frozen veg portfolio. It’s hard to imagine a world without frozen peas, no? Thank you to Sir Leslie and Clarence Birdseye for that!

Finally, today in 1966, the first truth in packaging law came into effect, requiring that ingredients are listed on food packaging. For food safety and transparency, I suppose, but the law also helped me learn a lot of very long names for preservatives from the back of cereal boxes. So there’s that.

Today, how about a sandwich-shaped birthday cake? Even better: make it an ice cream cake! Because we have artificial ice!