Recipes to celebrate Juneteenth

June 17, 2026 by
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Friday's Juneteenth holiday originated in Texas, where on June 19, 1865, following the end of the bloody US Civil War, the last enslaved African-Americans were finally declared free. One year after the announcement, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became an annual celebration, known then as Jubilee Day. During the 1890s, the holiday became known as Juneteenth, a… read more

What are the best picnic side dishes?

May 21, 2026 by
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This weekend is a holiday in the US that marks the unofficial start to summer. People will be firing up their grills and enjoying the warm spring weather. Family reunions, ball games, and other outdoor activities mean potlucks and picnics are on tap. There are classic side dishes that are 'must haves' for every picnic or outdoor eating event, although… read more

Get ready for Cinco de Mayo

May 2, 2026 by
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While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor historical anniversary in Mexico, in the U.S. it has become a much larger celebration. The date commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the first Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. It is not, as many people assume, Mexican Independance Day (that falls on September 16). In the United… read more

Sweets and more to celebrate Eid al Fitr

March 19, 2026 by
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It's been confirmed: Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on 20 March this year and Muslims around the world will mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer. Food is at the forefront to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting. The foods eaten vary depending on the culture of the local celebrants, but sweets are an… read more

It’s pi day, make a pie

March 14, 2026 by
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If you write your dates in the US convention (month/day/year), then today is pi day in honor of the mathematical constant. I usually forget about the “National Pie Day” that occurs in January, but that is okay since today is the logical choice for a day celebrating math used to determine measurements of round objects. Even if you don’t write… read more

Lucky foods for Lunar New Year

February 18, 2026 by
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February is interesting this year as the start of Ramadan, the Lunar New Year, and Fat/Shrove Tuesday all landed on the same day. As I read on a Bluesky post yesterday, "this means that the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful." Focusing on the Lunar New Year, this holiday called Tet in Vietnam, Tsagaan… read more

Galentine’s Day treats

February 12, 2026 by
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Valentine's Day gets a lot of attention, but a trend that started with a sitcom keeps growing every year. Galentine's Day began with a bit on the TV show Parks & Rec, where Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope hosted an annual breakfast and mimosa event with her friends. In the episode that introduced Galentine's Day, Knope declared “You know my… read more

Celebrating National Bean Day

January 6, 2026 by
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Serendipity stepped into my kitchen today as I accidentally celebrated National Bean Day. I was alerted to this food "holiday" by my coworker who loves beans. As luck would have it, I had soaked chickpeas overnight to make falafel, so I was able to celebrate the holiday without even trying. Maybe eating that pot of calico beans on New Year's… read more

Lucky foods for the new year

December 31, 2025 by
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After waking up this New Year's Day (if you feel like eating, that is), you may celebrate with a traditional meal of ‘lucky’ foods meant to help bring good fortune for the coming year. Foods that have particular symbolism vary depending on culture, but most are associated with wealth, health, and good luck. Beans and greens are two of these… read more

How well do you know Christmas food traditions?

December 25, 2025 by
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If you are sitting around in a food-induced stupor after consuming a huge holiday feast, here is a fun Christmas food (and drink) quiz to complete. I did okay, although I missed a few that I really should have known. I blame the heavy meal for making me have brain fog, but it was totally worth it. We eschewed tradition… read more

Taking holiday classics to a new level

December 19, 2025 by
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While most of us struggle to create a passable bûche de Noël or galettes des rois, pastry chefs around the world are taking these creations to new heights this holiday season. Food and Wine brings us seven interpretations of bûche de Noël that will amaze. Nina Métayer's looks like an elaborate, oversized Christmas ornament. Lift up the top and you… read more

Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaways!

November 30, 2025 by
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I am sorry for getting this gift guide up a bit late, we have been busy, busy, busy. Be sure to check out my roundup of holiday, entertaining, and baking cookbooks for gifting ideas. A few will be mentioned here again. Sour House inspires people to bake more sourdough bread by creating thoughtfully designed baking tools and inviting people to… read more

Encouraging words on Thanksgiving Eve

November 26, 2025 by
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I can't believe it has been six years since I wrote about the first Thanksgiving in a decade where I was not hosting. The main reason for that 2019 situation had to do with a health condition that I had hoped would be resolved in time for the next holiday. I was so disappointed that my friends (who are my… read more

A roundup of holiday, entertaining, and baking cookbooks

November 20, 2025 by
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Every year I am caught by surprise at how fast the holidays come around. I am working on a gift guide (with giveaways), but wanted to do a fast roundup of holiday books for our Members. This summary includes entertaining, baking and cocktail titles. I have included some popular books below as well as some more recent books and recently… read more

Celebrate National Cheesecake Day!

July 30, 2025 by
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You may wonder if I only post about the food "holidays" of foods I really enjoy eating. Wonder no more, the answer is yes. That's why I am posting about National Cheesecake Day today, as it is one of my favorite desserts, in no small part because cheesecake is easy to make. More on that later, but first, let's have… read more

Celebrate Bastille Day with French food

July 12, 2025 by
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Spectacular firework displays in July aren’t limited to the United States. Ten days after America’s Independence Day, the French also have their own red, white and blue holiday. Called Bastille Day by English speakers, the day is known to the French as “La Fête Nationale,” and it celebrates the anniversary of the liberation of France marked by the storming of… read more

Fair food fever

July 10, 2025 by
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State fairs in the US are filled with agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, crafts, concerts, and, of course, food. Oodles and oodles of food, with plenty of items "on a stick" for convenience as you squeeze your way through the crowds. I know people who will map our their state fair excursion to make sure they can enjoy all of their… read more

Celebrate National Doughnut Day

June 6, 2025 by
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This food holiday almost slipped past me. Today is National Doughnut Day, but it isn’t just another arbitrary food holiday cooked up by a commercial enterprise – this special day has roots that go back almost 100 years. Basic raised [doughnuts] from Doughnuts by Lara Ferroni According to the Salvation Army, National Doughnut Day’s origins stretch back to the first… read more

Easter’s most essential egg?

April 16, 2025 by
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While the price of eggs has people scrambling to find alternative items to dye for Easter, those eggs are not really the most iconic ovoid harbingers of the holiday. That honor belongs to the Cadbury Creme Egg, that delightfully gooey concoction that is loved around the world. Eater takes a look at how the Cadbury Creme Egg became popular in… read more

Celebrating Persian New Year

March 18, 2025 by
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On the spring equinox every year, the festival of the traditional Persian New Year festival celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, and the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, throughout Central Asia, and by members of the diaspora worldwide. Known as Nowruz (with many spelling variations), the holiday can be traced to Zoroastrians over 3,000 years ago who celebrated the coming of… read more

Pi day is finally here!

March 14, 2025 by
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National Pie Day may be officially recognized on January 23, but I prefer Pi Day (3.14) because I'm a science nerd/geek and because pi has a logical affinity for pie-shaped objects. I think pie is better than cake (don't @ me) because pies are more versatile. Even the pickiest eater can find something that pleases her in the pie family… read more

How king cake inspires community

March 4, 2025 by
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Today Mardi Gras ended in New Orleans with the Fat Tuesday parade. One of the parade's most well-known features is that participants throw items to the crowds along the parade route. These range from strings of purple, gold, and green beads to stuffed animals to (inexplicably) toilet plungers, and this year, a new item: a cookbook. A dance group called… read more

Traditional foods to celebrate the Lunar New Year

January 29, 2025 by
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Today marks the beginning of a very special time for the Chinese and several other cultures, as it is the beginning of the lunar new year. This holiday, celebrated by 20% of the world’s population, is honored differently in various countries, but food features prominently in all celebrations. For the Chinese new year, 2025 ushers in the Year of the… read more

It’s not too late to celebrate National Pie Day

January 23, 2025 by
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Today is National Pie Day and although the day is touted as a ‘national’ event in the US, people from around the world have joined in the celebration of all things pie. Apparently, there are two National Pie Days - December 1 and January 23 - plus the unofficial day of March 14 (pi). I'm someone who believes that pie >… read more

A January reset doesn’t need to be a battle

January 9, 2025 by
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a single elegant small couple cocktail glass holding a garnet colored liquid with a small amount of froth on top
The beginning of a new year feels like the perfect time to make a change, whether that involves organizing, exercising, or eating. This explains why Veganuary and Dry January are both increasingly popular activities. However, some people feel like this reset has become a battle between meat eaters and vegans or teetotalers with drinkers. These commitments need not be divisive,… read more
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