Contrived food holidays: What new one should we start?

[Jason Perlow]

In the US, "Cinco de Mayo" is effectively a contrived holiday for the express purposes of furthering the interests of the beer and liquor industry, and of course, Mexican-themed restaurants.

 

http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/05/03/5789676/the-cinco-de-mayo-battle-was-in.html

 

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/history-marketing-cinco-de-mayo

 

Halloween in the US is also another industry-driven holiday. As is Valentine's day, huge for the confections industry as well for the greeting cards industry. Easter, while not contrived, is a massive driver of the confections industry as well.

 

Fundamentally, I don't have a problem with contrived holidays. Any excuse to drink or to eat is a good one. But I'm thinking we need more opportunities for this.

 

Should we have holidays for Burgers? For Bacon? For Pizza? 

Edited May 6, 2014 by Jason Perlow (log)

[Martin Fisher]

Bacon, definitely bacon.

[Jason Perlow]

Dia de los Puercos?

 

Okay, but what month? And what are the traditional dishes?

[Dave the Cook]

I don't know which food they should revolve around, but I can tell you when they should be.

 

I was thinking about this the other night while explaining the true origins of Cinco de Mayo to a student, and how it was, well, as Jason explains.

 

In the US, CdM comes conveniently about halfway between two other food-related holidays: about six weeks after St. Patrick's Day, and four weeks before Independence Day (or Canada Day, for that matter). After that, we don't have another food holiday occasion until Labor Day (for those not in the States, the first Monday in September). So there's mos def an opportunity to wedge an occasion into early August. 

 

Then, food-holiday-wise, it's dry until Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) or --even worse -- US Thanksgiving (late November). Seems like we need a floating holiday on a Friday in late September.

[Martin Fisher]

Bacon screams November to me because I can close my eyes and smell the aroma of a full smokehouse from November's long ago....but that conflicts with Thanksgiving so I don't know.....early November, maybe??? 

[Goatjunky]

I vote for Offal Day!

[Martin Fisher]

Offal is good.

 

Scrapple Sunday?

Headcheese Thursday?

Hog Maw Monday?

Souse Saturday?

[natasha1270]

Hawaii Day is the third Friday in August. Sounds like a good pork-based holiday.

[annabelle]

Spam!

[Jason Perlow]

Hawaii Day is the third Friday in August. Sounds like a good pork-based holiday.

 

I like this. Loco Mocos, Spam Musubi. Kalua Pig. Now we need a way to bastardize this into a single food product or theme. Grilled Pineapple and Spam-topped and pulled pork topped burgers? Maybe something involving teryiaki sauce or Saimin noodles.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Jason Perlow (log)

[Jason Perlow]

 

 

Then, food-holiday-wise, it's dry until Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) or --even worse -- US Thanksgiving (late November). Seems like we need a floating holiday on a Friday in late September.

 

Dude, ALL the Jewish holidays are in late September. And they are both food holidays. Bagel Day. Brisket Day.

[Porthos]

I'v got it. We'll take over Groundhog's Day and serve pork-sausage-based dishes. What sides would be appropriate to reference the prarie states?

[Porthos]

Spam!

Count me out. Disagrees with me.

[lesliec]

In my part of the Southern Hemisphere we have a drought of public holidays (aka long weekends) from Queen's Birthday at the beginning of June until Labour day around the end of October.  There have been suggestions that we fill the gap with a celebration of Matariki, the Maori New Year, but that's also in June.  Not that I'm ever going to object to a long weekend.

 

About the best we can do is pretend we're actually in the Northern Hemisphere and have a midwinter Christmas around the end of June.  The politicians don't seem to want to declare a day off for this noble purpose, however.

[Martin Fisher]

I'v got it. We'll take over Groundhog's Day and serve pork-sausage-based dishes. What sides would be appropriate to reference the prarie states?

 

 

Yep, my Dad has promoted ground hog day for years! LOL

[Mjx]

I hate to mention wikipedia, but there is an entire entry dedicated to the crazy-long list of national food days, virtually all of which are USA ones (there is no day in July that is not dedicated some food; the 28th is hamburger day).

 

 

Dude, ALL the Jewish holidays are in late September. And they are both food holidays. Bagel Day. Brisket Day.

 

What?! Can it be that you've forgotten Hanuka Hannuka Hanukka Hannukka Hanukah Hannukah Hanukkah Hannukkah Chanuka Channuka Chanukka Channukka Chanukah Channukah Chanukkah Channukkah the festival of lights delicious fried things?

[Lisa Shock]

Wikipedia is missing some entries, here is a more complete list of American food holidays.

 

I suggest 'Eat Like a Pirate Day' - take a large group of friends out to eat, and spend lots of money and give generous tips (maybe include a piece of jewelry with the tip), like a pirate ship crew on shore leave after scoring a big haul. Pirate attire optional.

[Tri2Cook]

I suggest 'Eat Like a Pirate Day' - take a large group of friends out to eat, and spend lots of money and give generous tips (maybe include a piece of jewelry with the tip), like a pirate ship crew on shore leave after scoring a big haul. Pirate attire optional.

If I'm going out on Eat Like a Pirate Day with a large group of friends to spend a lot of money and give generous tips that include jewelry, pirate attire is not optional... they're damn well going to wear it.  

 

[chefmd]

What about Apple Pie?  What can be more American?  And late summer seems to be good time for it.  Complete with apple cider, apple bobbing contest, and watching American Pie movie.

[annabelle]

Already done:  March 14, pi day.

[rotuts]

if the holiday is going to be N/America based, it has to involve the BBQ and outdoor food.

 

I like the idea that it be pork based.

 

although 4 July and Labor Day are BBQ based, so what ?

 

always good to get the BBQ going.

Edited May 6, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[Smithy]

I suggest 'Eat Like a Pirate Day' - take a large group of friends out to eat, and spend lots of money and give generous tips (maybe include a piece of jewelry with the tip), like a pirate ship crew on shore leave after scoring a big haul. Pirate attire optional.

 

Great idea!  Of course, it has to be on September 19, "International Talk Like A Pirate Day".  (This link goes to the first annual singalong video.  )

[Norm Matthews]

Bacon is on it's way. Perhaps several local bacon festivals will eventually go national . 

There is one in Eugene, Des Moines, Maryland and there is one in Kansas City too.

 

http://baconfestkc.com/

 

http://www.kval.com/news/local/Bacon-Fest-celebrates-all-things-bacon-258041421.html

 

Also bacon and bourbon seem to have become a popular party theme.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Norm Matthews (log)

[Shel_B]

 

Should we have holidays for Burgers? For Bacon? For Pizza? 

 

National Hamburger Day is May 28th.

http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-hamburger-day

 

There are a few different "Pizza Days". September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day, November 12 is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, and February 9 is National Pizza Pie Day. Then the entire month of October is National Pizza Month. I guess it can't be limited to just one day!

 

And then there's International Bacon Day: http://bacon.wikia.com/wiki/International_Bacon_Day

[Toliver]

August seems ripe for a food holiday. There's a big no-U.S. holiday gap from July 4th through Labor Day (first Monday in September).

And I vote for it being bacon-themed:

"A day without bacon is like a day without bacon." - Fat Guy (click)