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7 Foods That Are Named After Real People

Producer: Mehak Pal Editor: Aparna Singh | AUGUST 26, 2024

Have you ever wondered how some food items got their name? Here are some foods that are named after real people.

Margarita- Marjorie King was the inspiration for the name

It is believed that it was invented in the late 1930s in a bar south of Tijuana by a bartender named Carlos "Danny" Herrera. He was said to have made it for Marjorie King, who was allergic to all alcoholic beverages except tequila.

Dongpo Pork- Su Dongpo, a famous Song dynasty poet, inspired the name

Su Dongpo, a famous Song dynasty poet, inspired the dish's name. 

Pizza Margherita- Queen Margherita of Savoy inspired the name

It is believed that in 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, Italy, and chef Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi and his wife created three pizzas for her. One of which had all three colours of the Italian flag: red from tomato, white from mozzarella cheese, and green from basil leaves.

Bloody Mary- named after Mary the First of England

Fernand Petiot claimed to have invented the Bloody Mary in Paris in 1921 at Harry's New York Bar. In 1933, he introduced the cocktail's secret ingredient, Tabasco sauce, transforming it into the drink we know today. Another origin story claims that the cocktail was invented by actor-producer George Jessel and that Petiot added the finishing touches in 1939.

Kung Pao Chicken- named after Ding Baozhen, a late Qing Dynasty Sichuan governor

It is named after Ding Baozhen, the late Qing Dynasty (late nineteenth century) governor of Sichuan.

Sandwich- John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century  English aristocrat, inspired the name

The English word "Sandwich" first appeared in Edward Gibbon's journal, where it was used to refer to "bits of cold meat." It was named after 18th-century English aristocrat John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. The Earl is said to have requested the specific serving so that he could eat while still playing cards. He asked that the meat be sandwiched between two slices of bread.

Caesar Salad- Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who owned restaurants in the United States and Mexico

Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who owned restaurants in the United States and Mexico, is widely regarded as the inventor of the Caesar salad. The dish is believed to have been created during a Fourth of July rush in 1924 when the Tijuana restaurant's few remaining ingredients were thrown together.