Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite foods got their names? I did, so I did a little research to find out which pretty common dishes are named after famous people or institutions. From royalty to inventors, these individuals have left their mark on the culinary world.
1. Beef Stroganoff
This classic Russian dish is named after Count Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, a 19th-century Russian aristocrat. The dish, which features tender strips of beef in a rich sour cream sauce, is said to have been created by the Count’s chef.
2. Margherita Pizza
In 1889, Queen Margherita of Italy visited Naples and was served a pizza featuring the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. The pizza was named after the Queen and has become a classic dish around the world.
3. Eggs Benedict
There are several theories about the origin of Eggs Benedict, but one popular story credits the dish to Lemuel Benedict, a Wall Street broker who ordered the combination of poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise sauce at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City.
4. Napoleons
These flaky pastries filled with cream and topped with sugar are named after the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. While the exact origin is unclear, it’s believed that the pastry’s layers symbolize Napoleon’s many victories.
5. Caesar Salad
Contrary to popular belief, the Caesar salad is not named after the Roman emperor. Instead, it’s named after Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur who is said to have invented the dish in Tijuana, Mexico in the 1920s.
6. Pavlova
This delicate meringue-based dessert is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It’s believed that the dessert was created in her honor during one of her tours to Australia or New Zealand in the 1920s.
7. Salisbury Steak
This dish of ground beef patties smothered in gravy is named after Dr. James Henry Salisbury, an American physician who believed that a diet rich in meat could cure many ailments.
8. Graham Crackers
These sweet, whole wheat crackers are named after Sylvester Graham, a 19th-century American minister who promoted a vegetarian diet and believed that consuming too much meat led to sinful behavior.
9. Granny Smith Apples
These tart, green apples are named after Maria Ann Smith, an Australian farmer who cultivated the variety in the 1860s. The apples were first called “Granny Smith’s Seedlings” and later shortened to Granny Smith.
10. Reuben Sandwich
This hearty sandwich of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread is named after Reuben Kulakofsky, a Jewish Lithuanian-born grocer from Omaha, Nebraska who is said to have created the sandwich for his weekly poker game.
11. Chateaubriand
This tender cut of beef is named after François-René de Chateaubriand, a French writer and diplomat who served as the Ambassador to England in the early 1800s. The story goes that his chef created the dish in his honor.
12. Nachos
This popular snack of tortilla chips topped with cheese and jalapenos is named after Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, a Mexican maître d’ who is said to have created the dish for a group of American military wives in the 1940s.
13. Tootsie Rolls
These chewy, chocolate-flavored candies are named after Clara “Tootsie” Hirshfield, the daughter of Leo Hirshfield, who invented the candy in 1896.
14. Boysenberries
This sweet, juicy berry is named after Rudolf Boysen, a California horticulturist who developed the hybrid fruit in the 1920s by crossing raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries.
15. Baby Ruth Candy Bar
While many people believe this candy bar is named after the famous baseball player Babe Ruth, it’s actually named after Ruth Cleveland, the daughter of President Grover Cleveland. The candy bar was introduced in 1921, around the time of Ruth Cleveland’s death at age 12.
16. Garibaldi Biscuits
These dried currant biscuits are named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and leader of the movement to unify Italy in the 19th century. The biscuits are said to have been one of his favorite snacks.
17. Melba Toast
This thin, crispy toast is named after Dame Nellie Melba, an Australian opera singer who was a popular figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The toast was created for her by chef Auguste Escoffier when she was ill and could only eat light, digestible foods.
18. Kung Pao Chicken
This spicy Chinese dish is named after Ding Baozhen, a governor of the Sichuan province during the Qing dynasty. Ding was known by his official title, Gongbao, which translates to “palace guardian.”
19. Battenberg Cake
This colorful, checkered cake is named after Prince Louis of Battenberg, a member of the British royal family in the late 19th century. The cake is said to have been created to celebrate his marriage to Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine.
20. Lobster Newberg
This rich seafood dish of lobster meat in a sherry cream sauce is named after Ben Wenberg, a sea captain who brought the recipe to Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City in the late 19th century. The dish was originally called Lobster Wenberg, but the name was later reversed to Newberg.
21. Beef Wellington
This classic British dish features a beef tenderloin coated with pâté and duxelles (a mixture of finely chopped mushrooms, shallots, and herbs), which is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. The dish is named after Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who was a prominent military figure in the early 19th century and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. However, the exact origin of the dish and its connection to the Duke is unclear, with some theories suggesting it was created in his honor, while others propose it was simply a dish he enjoyed.
22. Kedgeree
This Anglo-Indian dish, made with flaked fish (usually smoked haddock), boiled rice, eggs, and curry powder, is thought to be named after Lord Kedgeree, a Scottish aristocrat who served as the Governor-General of India in the early 19th century. The dish is believed to have been adapted from an Indian rice and lentil dish called khichdi.
23. Victoria Sponge Cake
This classic British cake, also known as a Victoria sandwich, is named after Queen Victoria, who is said to have enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea. The cake typically consists of two sponge cakes sandwiched together with jam and whipped cream or buttercream.
24. Strawberry Eton Mess
This dessert, made with crushed meringue, whipped cream, and strawberries, is named after Eton College, a prestigious boarding school in England. The dish is traditionally served at the school’s annual cricket match against Harrow School and is believed to have originated in the 19th century.
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Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
