36 Popular Foods Named After People

There are many stories surrounding its name. Our favorite one is of a New York stockbroker named Lemuel Benedict. The story goes that in 1894, Lemuel Benedict walked into the Waldorf Hotel in New York City in search of a hangover cure.

 

He requested a unique breakfast to help with his hangover. The chef created the dish consisting of toasted English muffins, poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise sauce, which he believed would provide the perfect blend of flavors and textures. The dish was a huge success, and the Waldorf Hotel added it to its menu. It’s now a staple breakfast and brunch dish.

The non-alcoholic cocktail is named after the 1930s child star Shirley Temple. The beverage was created as a special treat for Shirley Temple when she visited a restaurant with her parents.

Despite its Italian-sounding name, the Caesar salad was actually created in Mexico by an Italian American chef, Caesar Cardini.

 

The story goes that in 1924, Caesar Cardini operated a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. During a busy weekend, he ran out of food due to the influx of customers. So he made a creative attempt to put together a satisfying dish with whatever was left in the kitchen — and created the Caesar salad. The dressing was also made from scratch.

 

It became an instant hit among diners, and the reputation of Caesar Cardini’s salad spread quickly. Over time, the salad gained popularity and made its way into restaurants worldwide.

The humble sandwich is named after the city in England. In the 18th century, John Montagu was the Earl of Sandwich. He was an avid gambler and spent long hours at the gaming table. He was once so engrossed in his game that he did not want to leave the table, even for a meal. So he asked his butler to bring him slices of meat between two pieces of bread. This way, he could easily eat with one hand while continuing to play cards with the other.

 

The idea of eating meat between pieces of bread quickly caught on, and now the sandwich has evolved into a versatile and beloved food item with countless variations.

The classic Italian pizza is rooted in patriotism. The history of pizza Margherita dates back to 1889 when a baker was commissioned to create a special pizza to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy. He prepared a pizza with the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). 

 

Eventually, the pizza was named after her and came to be known as “Pizza Margherita.”

This is another popular Australian dessert whose origins are shrouded in mystery. 

 

According to one theory, lamingtons were created in the late 19th century by a cook serving at Government House in Brisbane. With limited ingredients on hand, he took stale sponge cake, cut it into squares, dipped them in chocolate sauce, and then rolled them in coconut to make them look presentable. The guests enjoyed the impromptu creation, and the lamington was born.

 

Another story attributes the invention to Lord Lamington, who served as Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. According to this tale, a chef accidentally dropped a piece of sponge cake into a pot of melted chocolate. To salvage it, he covered it in coconut. Lord Lamington loved the accidental creation, and the lamington became a hit.

This classic dish is believed to be named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington. He was a British military hero who defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

When you think of foods named after famous people, Ben & Jerry’s always comes to mind. They often use playful, witty names for their ice cream flavors. The most popular among them is Cherry Garcia, named in honor of rock ’n’ roll icon Jerry Garcia.

 

The story goes that back in 1987, Ben & Jerry’s received a letter from a Grateful Dead fan, requesting they create a flavor in honor of Jerry Garcia, the lead vocalist of the band. The owners collaborated with the Garcia family to ensure Jerry Garcia’s favorite flavors were used — cherries and dark chocolate.

This iconic beverage dates back to the 1880s. It was created by a pharmacist named Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas. He named the drink after a patron of the pharmacy he worked at. Even over a century after its invention, the exact formula for Dr Pepper remains a closely guarded secret!

The origin of pavlova is a matter of great debate between Australians and New Zealanders. Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova toured both countries in the 1920s. Chefs were enamored with Pavlova’s tulle frills and recreated them as a dessert.

 

Regardless of its true origin, pavlova has become an iconic and much-loved dessert in both countries.

Sachertorte is named after Chef Franz Sacher, who created the delicious recipe when he was only 16! The Viennese chocolate cake has layers of apricot jelly and is topped with a chocolate frosting.

The Reuben is a classic American sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a creamy dressing, all grilled between slices of rye bread. However, the origin of its name is contested. There are several stories and claims, but the most widely accepted one credits its creation to Arnold Reuben, a deli owner in New York City back in the 1910s.

Béchamel is a “mother sauce” and serves as the base for many other sauces and dishes. This creamy French sauce is made by combining milk with a roux (a mixture of flour and butter). 

 

Here’s how its name came about: Louis de Béchameil was a prominent French politician in the court of King Louis XIV. The sauce was created by his personal chef, François Pierre La Varenne. La Varenne is also credited with writing one of the earliest known French cookbooks, Le Cuisinier François, in 1651. It’s believed he mentioned the recipe in his cookbook and named it Sauce Béchameil after his patron.

The history of clementines can be traced back to Algeria in the early 20th century when they were first discovered as a natural hybrid between a mandarin and a sweet orange. The fruit was named after Brother Clément Rodier, a French Catholic missionary.

Frangipane is a delicious almond-flavored pastry cream used in several desserts, such as tarts, cakes, and pastries. The name “frangipane” can be traced back to Muzio Frangipani, a Parisian perfumier in the 1500s. He created a delightful almond scent that became so popular that French chefs started recreating the aroma in their dishes.

The margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, served in a salt-rimmed glass garnished with a slice of lime. The origin of its name is not clear. Our favorite tale is that a bartender made this delicious cocktail back in the 1940s to impress actress Rita Hayworth.

Salisbury steak is quite a popular American dish. Its name, however, is based on an unpopular figure: Dr. James H. Salisbury. He was an American physician in the late 1800s. Salisbury was a big advocate of a high-protein diet. So much so that he suggested that this dish should be eaten three times a day, accompanied by hot water. He believed an excessive consumption of vegetables and starchy foods was detrimental to health.

Russe means Russian, but charlotte russe is actually a French dish. Its name is believed to be a tribute to Queen Charlotte of England, who loved French cuisine.

This crunchy snack came about as an impromptu invention. They were created in the 1940s by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, a maître d' at the Victory Club restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Here’s how the story goes: a group of U.S. military wives came to the Victory Club, looking for a meal. However, the kitchen was closed, so Ignacio decided to improvise and create a snack using what he had on hand.

 

He took some leftover tortillas, cut them into triangles, and fried them until they became crispy chips. He then covered the chips with melted cheese and sliced jalapeño peppers and served the dish as a quick and tasty appetizer for the ladies. Word of the delicious snack spread, and over time, Ignacio’s creation gained popularity.

Chef Giuseppe Cipriani, from Harry’s Bar in Venice, invented yet another recipe — the Bellini cocktail. This elegant cocktail combines prosecco with peach puree or peach nectar. Cipriani named the drink after the 15th-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini, who was known for his use of soft, pastel colors, which resembled the color of the cocktail.