Wednesday, January 28, 2026Daily Trivia Questions are below TODAY’S FOOD QUOTE“Nothing is less important than which fork you use.”
Emily Post
FOOD HOLIDAYS - TODAY IS:• National Blueberry Pancake Day
(Pancake Trivia --- Pancake Recipes)
TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY814 Charlemagne died. Charlemagne, Charles I, Charles the Great, King of the Franks, Charles le Grand, Carolus Magnus, Karl Der Grosse, King of the Lombards, master of Western Europe, Emperor. Some of the food related 'facts' I have come across related to Charlemagne:
* the peacock was first served in Europe during his reign;
* Saurbraten was invented by Charlemagne;
* the knife began to be used to eat food for the first time during his reign (rather than the fingers);
* Roses were used to cover his tables for meals.
I have no real corroboration for any of these 'facts'. 1807 London's Pall Mall became the first street to be lighted by gaslight. 1855 William S. Burroughs was born. An American inventor, Burroughs invented and manufactured the first adding machine with a printer. 1868 Amariah M. Hills, of Hockanum, Connecticut, received a patent for Improvement in Lawn-Mowers ("new and improved [cutting] device for mowing grass by hand"). The first reel lawn mower patent in U.S. 1873 Louis Pasteur, of Paris, France received U.S. patent # 135,245 for Improvement in Brewing Beer And Ale ("new and useful Improvements in the Process of Making Beer"). (Beer Trivia & Facts) 1873 Colette, (Sidonie Gabrielle) was born. A French novelist, her novels contain many exact and detailed descriptions of food and the pleasures of the table, and quite a few recipes. 1878 The first commercial telephone exchange in the U.S. was installed in New Haven, Connecticut. 1887 The largest snowflake ever recorded, 15 inches wide, fell at Fort Keogh, Montana. 1914 John James McLaughlin died (born March 2, 1865). Canadian chemist and pharmacist, founder of Canada Dry soft drink brand. 1915 Congress creates the U.S. Coast Guard. 1916 In Canada, the Manitoba Legislature passes the Temperance Act, allowing the use of liquor at home but prohibits public bars. 1932 Wisconsin enacts the first U.S. unemployment insurance system. 1939 Rose Gray was born (died Feb 28, 2010). One of the most influential British chefs and restaurateurs of the 20th century. Co-founder and chef of River Cafe in London, "a little piece of Italy on the Thames." 1947 Colgate-Palmolive registered 'Ajax' trademark (for soap and household cleanser). 2019 Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have discovered a 7,000 year old wooden water well, built around 5256 B.C. at Ostrov in the Pardubice Region. It is believed to be the oldest wooden structure in the world, and will be preserved by the experts of the [University of Pardubice].
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** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** January 1-31, 2026 - Napa Valley Restaurant Month
Napa Valley, California January 20-Feb 12, 2026 NYC Restaurant Week
New York, New York January 22-February 1, 2026 140th Saint Paul Winter Carnival - St. Paul, Minnesota January 23-February 1, 2026 Baltimore Restaurant Week - Baltimore, Maryland January 26-31, 2026 Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena - Pasadena, California January 28-February 1, 2026 Key West Food and Wine Festival - Key West, Florida January 31, 2026 Manitou Springs Great Fruitcake Toss - Manitou Springs, Colorado (SEE ALL FOOD FESTIVALS and OTHER FOOD EVENTS)
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** FOOD TRIVIA QUIZ (new DAILY questions)1) All of the following events took place in the same year. What year is it?
· The animated movie 'Animal Crackers' opened in U.S. theatres.
· France bans restaurants from offering free refills of sodas and other sugary drinks.
· Bumble Bee Foods plead guilty and was fined $25 million for its role in a canned tuna price fixing conspiracy. 2) What relationship does Charles Dicken's 'Tale of Two Cities' and O. Henry's 'Rolling Stones' have with potatoes? 3) What effect did World War II have on the frozen food industry? 4) What are the original 3 flavors in 'Fruit Loops' breakfast cereal? Click Here for Today’s Quiz Answers
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Read an article about Chef James and the FoodReference.com website published in the Winona Daily News, Minneapolis StarTribune, and numerous other newspapers: Click here for the Article
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Dedication
This website is dedicated to:
· Gladys Ehler, my mother, who taught me patience and how to make Sauerbraten (it is still my favorite)
· Edward Ehler, my father, who taught me a love of books and history.
· Barbara Saba, my sister, who taught me how to dance.
· Cpl. Thomas E. Saba, my nephew. Died in action on Feb. 7, 2007 in Iraq. He was 30 yrs. young. Chef James
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