Wednesday, February 11, 2026Daily Trivia Questions are below TODAY’S FOOD QUOTE“Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.”
Carl Sandburg
FOOD HOLIDAYS - TODAY IS:• National Peppermint Patty Day • [Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day] (Milk Trivia)
(Milk Quotes) • National Latte Day (expresso and steamed milk) • Canada: [Agriculture Day] • Kraut and Frankfurter Week ? (Feb 8-14, 2026) • Jell-O Week (Feb 9-15, 2026 2nd full week in Feb) in 2001 Jell-O was declared Official State Snack of Utah and Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt declared an annual "Jell-O Week." (Jello Trivia)
TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY1752 The first hospital in America opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1785 The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture was founded. It is the oldest active agricultural organization in the U.S.
(Pennsylvania Food Trivia) 1802 Lydia Maria Francis Child was born. An American abolitionist and author of novels and children’s books. She also wrote books of advice for women including 'The Frugal Housewife' (1829). 1811 Robert Fulton was issued the first patent for a steamboat. 1847 Thomas Alva Edison was born. Chefs use his inventions everyday, including light and music to work by. 1866 Fritz Hofmann was born (died Oct 29, 1956). German chemist who first synthesized rubber (German patent No. 250,690, Sept 12, 1909). 1922 Frederick Grant Banting announces the discovery of insulin, used to treat diabetes, at the University of Toronto, with colleagues C.H. Best, J.B. Collip, and J.J.R. Macleod. 1926 Paul Bocuse was born at Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, France (died Jan 20, 2018). Legendary French Chef, known as one of the founders of 'nouvelle cuisine'. Named Chef of the Century by the Culinary Institute of America. His restaurant has held 3 Michelin stars for more than 50 years.
[Website: https://bocuse.fr/en/] 1943 World War II Gasoline rationing begins in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (10 gallons per month). 1963 Julia Child's 'The French Chef' premiered on TV. 1968 In New York the new Madison Square Garden sports and entertainment arena officially opened.
(see also Dec 15, 1925). 1975 The movie 'Shampoo' premiered in New York. 1977 A new record lobster was caught off Nova Scotia, weighing in at 44 lb 6 oz (20.14 kg).
(Lobster Trivia --- Lobster Quotes) 1979 Singer and actress Brandy was born (Brandy Norwood). 1982 The [Florida Strawberry Growers Association] (FSGA) was founded. 1994 Use of the genetically engineered growth hormone for cows, rBGH begins. Controversy abounds 1999 Tahtsa Lake in British Columbia receives a Canadian record breaking snowfall of 57 inches in 24 hours. 2009 India's largest Hindu nationalist group announced they are developing a soft drink called 'Gau Jal' made from cow urine and flavored with herbs. After testing it should be ready for sale within a few months. In India cow urine is believed by many to have healing properties.
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** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** January 20-Feb 12, 2026 NYC Restaurant Week
New York, New York February 5-16, 2026 - Florida State Fair
Tampa, Florida February 6-15, 2026 79th Annual Holtville Carrot Festival - Holtville, California February 12-March 1, 2026 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival - Indio, California February 13-15, 2026 56th Annual Everglades Seafood Festival - Everglades City, Florida February 14-15, 2026 20th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival - Key West, Florida (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?
· Three people were arrested by the FBI for attempting to sell Coca-Cola trade secrets and recipes to Pepsi-Cola.
· In the Chicago suburb of Villa Park, thieves stole a semi tractor trailer filled with broccoli, valued at $50,000.
· The movies 'Beerfest' and 'How to Eat Fried Worms' opened in U.S. theatres.
· The U.S. population reached 300 million.
· Six Flags theme park in Gurnee, Illinois held a live cockroach eating contest.
· Deep Fried Coca-Cola is offered at the State Fair of Texas. 2) This is an Asian member of the mint family grown for its unusually shaped edible tubers. They were introduced to Europe in the 1880s (first cultivated in France) and enjoyed popularity until the 1920s. They have been 'rediscovered' lately and their popularity has increased here in the U.S. The tubers look a string of mishapen mottled pearls (they are also described as 'petrified worms). They can be eaten raw, in salads, or stir fried, boiled, baked or in soups.
Can you name this plant? 3) This edible vegetable fat has a mild flavor and aroma. It contains natural antioxidants and is one of the most stable fats known. It can be stored up to five years, remains hard at room temperature, but melts below body temperature. In addition to it's culinary uses, it is used in cosmetics, sun tan oils, and soap. Name this edible fat. 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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