Food names sometimes have fun stories behind them. While dishes are commonly named after places, ingredients, or cooking methods, some are named for actual people. These individuals inspired chefs, impressed royalty, or somehow or another became associated with a particular recipe. They include everyone from military leaders and doctors to opera singers and royalty. Here are eight famous foods named after real people.
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is a classic British dish made with beef tenderloin covered in duxelles (minced mushrooms, onions, herbs, and black pepper, sautéed in butter). It is wrapped in pastry and baked until golden brown. It is named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. This British commander was responsible for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The exact connection between the duke and the dish is unknown. Some historians believe the name came from the beef’s resemblance to Wellington’s polished boots. Others think it was simply a random way to pay tribute to the famous gentleman. Either way, it is forever associated with England and elegance.
Peach Melba
Peach Melba is a dessert made with peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream. It was created in the late 1800s by famous French chef Auguste Escoffier. He made the delicious treat to honor Australian opera singer Nellie Melba. Because Escoffier was inspired after seeing Melba perform in the opera Lohengrin, he decided to create the dessert especially for her. The original version was extremely elaborate, served inside an ice sculpture shaped like a swan. Over time, it has turned into the most recognizable fruit-and-ice-cream combinations in the world.
Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict is a staple on pretty much any brunch menu. It features poached eggs, Canadian bacon, English muffins, and hollandaise sauce. But the origins of this famous breakfast dish are surprisingly mysterious. One fairly elaborate story traces it back to New York stockbroker Lemuel Benedict. He is said to have ordered a custom breakfast at the Waldorf Hotel in 1894 to aid a hangover. The hotel’s chef was impressed by the unique combination and put it on the menu. Although other origin stories circulate, Benedict’s tale is the one most commonly told. Regardless of who actually invented the delicious egg concoction, it is found on brunch tables worldwide.
Caesar Salad
Despite its Roman-sounding name, Caesar salad was actually created in Mexico! The name stems from the creator, the Italian-American restaurateur Caesar Cardini. Cardini owned restaurants in Tijuana and reportedly invented the salad in 1924 during a busy Fourth of July weekend. When supplies were running low, he was forced to get a bit creative. He ended up tossing together romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, eggs, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce. People loved the salad and it eventually spread around the world. For obvious reasons, many people assume it was named after Julius Caesar, it was actually named after a clever salad maker in Mexico..
Chicken à la King
Chicken à la King is an old-school dish made with chicken, mushrooms, peppers, and a creamy sauce, served over toast or pastry. Several stories exist about its creation, but perhaps the most popular version gives credit to chef George Greenwald of New York City’s Brighton Beach Hotel. The tale goes that Greenwald created it for hotel owner E. Clark King II in the early 1900s. The dish was supposedly named after King simply because he enjoyed it so much. It exploded in popularly in the 50s when moms across the nation served it for dinner. Though plenty of people today have never heard of it, many Boomers remember it fondly from their childhood.
Bananas Foster
Bananas Foster is a New Orleans specialty made with bananas, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, rum, and vanilla ice cream. The decadent dessert was created in 1951 by chef Paul Blangé at Brennan’s Restaurant. The guest it was originally made for was Richard Foster, a friend of restaurant owner Owen Brennan. At the time, New Orleans was importing huge numbers of bananas. To take advantage of the available fruit, Brennan was searching for a creative way to incorporate it into recipes. The dessert became famous not just for its richness and sweet flavor but also for its dramatic preparation, as the rum is traditionally flambéed tableside. Today, it is one of the southern city’s most iconic treats.
Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steak is a very common meal that was named after American physician Dr. James Salisbury. In the 1800s, Salisbury thought that a diet of primarily lean ground beef was the healthiest choice. He said it was both easy to digest and beneficial for health. The specific beef patties he recommended were referred to as “Salisbury steak.” It evolved through the years, shifting into the comfort food version served with gravy and mashed potatoes. While modern versions are pretty different from the original patties, Salisbury’s name stuck.
Cherries Jubilee
Cherries Jubilee is a dessert with cherries as the standout ingredient. The brightly colored fruit is cooked with sugar and liqueur, sometimes served flambéed over ice cream. Unlike many foods on this list, it was named for more than a specific person; it was also named for an event. The dessert dates back to 1897 when Auguste Escoffier created it to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The event marked 60 years of her reign. He made the prep dramatic so it would be perfectly suited for grand celebrations. It was created for royalty and is still considered a fancy dessert.