Hot Takes & Food Dates

Celebrated: March 20 Pasta Pockets of Perfection Triple cheese. Wild mushroom. Butternut squash. Ravioli has range, and on March 20, we celebrate one of the most beloved and versatile stuffed pastas on the planet. Whether served in brown butter, bathed in tomato sauce, or filled with something sweet, ravioli proves pasta isn’t just a side dish—it’s the whole main event. The History of Ravioli The earliest known mention of ravioli comes from 14th-century Italy. In Tuscany and Venice, chefs c

Celebrated: March 17 The Immigrant Meal That Made History While St. Patrick’s Day takes most of the spotlight, March 17 also honors a humble, hearty classic: Corned Beef and Cabbage. This dish isn’t actually a traditional Irish meal—but rather, a clever creation of Irish-American immigrants who were adapting to life (and budgets) in the New World. In Ireland, pork and potatoes were staples. But when Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., beef brisket was more affordable than pork, and cabbage

Celebrated: March 9 Shell Yeah, It’s Crab Day Crab meat has long reigned as a delicacy of the sea—sweet, tender, and buttery-soft. On March 9, we celebrate National Crab Meat Day, honoring both wild-caught and imitation varieties that find their way into everything from crab cakes to sushi rolls. Whether you're a Chesapeake Bay purist or a California roll loyalist, there's a crab dish for every taste and table. Real vs. Imitation Crab: What’s the Difference? The U.S. crab market is boomin

Celebrated: March 5 A Toast to Training Season Move over, Cinco de Mayo—March 5 marks the cheeky, unofficial holiday known as Cinco de Marcho. This lighthearted celebration serves as a "training" period for those preparing for the festivities of St. Patrick's Day, just 12 days later. The concept is to gradually build one's tolerance, ensuring readiness for the green beer and revelry ahead. Origins: A Margarita and a Mission Cinco de Marcho was conceived in 2007 by a man known as "Carlos Fa

Celebrated: March 3 Let’s Meat Up! On March 3, it’s time to celebrate all things cold cuts! Whether you call them lunch meats, deli meats, or sandwich meats, there’s no denying that cold cuts have a special place in our hearts (and sandwiches). From turkey and ham to salami and roast beef, these thinly sliced meats make meals easy, quick, and delicious. Cold cuts, or processed meats, have been around for centuries, but they've truly become a modern-day food staple thanks to their versatility

Stacks on Stacks: Pancakes That Go Way Back What do Ancient Greeks, Shakespeare, IHOP, and the Pennsylvania Dutch have in common? Pancakes. No kidding. February 28 is National Pancake Day, and there’s no better excuse to indulge in a comforting stack of golden-brown flapjacks dripping with maple syrup—or whatever wild topping your heart desires. Whether you call them hotcakes, Johnnycakes, or griddle cakes, pancakes are one of the most beloved (and versatile) breakfast items in history. Panc

Let’s Get Sticky With It Whether you're grabbing one from your favorite bakery or pulling a tray fresh from the oven, there's no denying the gooey, nutty joy of a sticky bun. February 21 is National Sticky Bun Day, and it’s time to celebrate these caramel-glazed spirals of doughy goodness. Sticky buns—often confused with cinnamon rolls—are in a delicious class of their own, thanks to that luscious layer of melted brown sugar, butter, and often pecans or walnuts baked into the bottom of the pan

As American as... Cherry Pie Every year on February 20, we celebrate the flaky, fruity, nostalgic indulgence that is National Cherry Pie Day. Whether it’s served warm with vanilla ice cream or enjoyed cold from the fridge, cherry pie remains one of the most iconic American desserts—and for good reason. Not only does it deliver a perfect balance of tart cherries and buttery crust, but it’s also steeped in presidential legend, often associated with George Washington and the infamous cherry tree