Sunday, January 4, 2026Daily Trivia Questions are below TODAY’S FOOD QUOTE“The strands of spaghetti were vital, almost alive in my mouth, and the olive oil was singing with flavor. It was hard to imagine that four simple ingredients [olive oil, pasta, garlic and cheese] could marry so perfectly.” Ruth Reichl FOOD HOLIDAYS - TODAY IS:• National Spaghetti Day (Spaghetti Recipes)
(Spaghetti Quotes --- Pasta Trivia) • Diet Resolution Week (Jan 1-7)
(Healthy Diets & Dieting Articles)
TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY1493 Columbus returned from his first voyage to the New World. 1846 Edward H. Johnson was born (died Sept 9, 1917). Johnson, vice-president of Thomas Edison's electric company, created the first electric Christmas tree lights which he displayed on a Christmas tree at his New York home on December 22, 1882. 1863 James Plimpton of New York patented 4 wheeled roller skates. 1903 Thomas Edison electrocutes an elephant to publicly demonstrate the supposed danger of alternating current (AC). Edison was advocating direct current (DC) be adopted as a standard. 1905 Actor Sterling Holloway was born. He was also the voice of Winnie The Pooh, the honey loving bear in Disney's animated version. 1909 J.R. Simplot was born (died May 25, 2008). Founder of J.R. Simplot Company in 1929 in Idaho. specializing in potato products (in 2005 it supplied more tha 50% of McDonald's french fries).
(French Fry Trivia & Facts) 1909 Australia: Bourke, New South Wales recorded Australia's hottest day ever at 125°F. (51.7°C).
[This record has been disputed]. 1932 'The Carnation Contented Hour' sponsored by Carnation ("Milk from contented cows") went national on NBC radio. It had premiered on the regional NBC West Coast network April 26, 1931.
(Carnation Evaporated Milk Facts] 1958 Sputnik I fell to Earth (see also Oct 4, 1957). 1997 Billionaire Harry Helmsley died. Husband of the infamous Leona (‘Queen of Mean,’ ‘Queen of Greed’), his real estate holdings included the Empire State Building. 2002 An Italian shepherd, the world's oldest man died at the age of 112. Quote: "....love your brother and drink a good glass of red wine every day." 2007 Vincent Sardi Jr. died (born July 23, 1915)). Owner, Sardi's Restaurant, New York, N.Y. 2011 U.S. President Barack Obama signs a bill overhauling the nation’s food safety system. It emphasizes prevention of foodborne illness, requiring more government inspections and allowing federal regulators to order the recall of unsafe products.
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** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Novvember 14, 2025 - January 17, 2026
Gingerbread House Competition & Display
Lahaska, Pennsylvania January 1-31, 2026 - Napa Valley Restaurant Month
Napa Valley, California January 8-18, 2026 Restaurant Week South Carolina
Statewide, South Carolina January 9-10, 2026 - Annual Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival - Doswell, Virginia January 9-11, 2026 52nd Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
Santa Cruz, California January 10-11, 2026 - Seattle Travel & Adventure Show - Seattle, Washington (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 U.S. population passes 200 million.
· There are an estimated 3.2 million farms in the U.S.
· Gatorade, the original sports drink, is developed by the University of Florida.
· Wisconsin is the last state to allow yellow coloring in margarine. 2) Nectarines are:
a) A fuzzless variety of peach.
b) A variety of plum.
c) A cross between a peach and a plum. 3) Fish oils are high in omega-3 fatty acids and help reduce the risk of heart disease. However, taking too many fish oil capsules can be dangerous. What is the danger of overdosing on fish oil capsules? 4) Can you name the top 10 vegetables in the U.S. in order of popularity? 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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