National Vichyssoise Day

Despite being named for a French town, vichyssoise ("vee-shee-swahzz")—a thick soup made of potatoes, pureed leeks, onions, cream, and chicken stock, that is usually served cold, but sometimes is served hot—was likely created in the United States. The dominant story about its origin says that French chef Louis Diat, who had grown up in Vichy, France, created it in 1917 while working at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City. He based it off of other French soups made with potatoes and pureed leeks called Potage Parmentier or Potage à la Parmentier. According to his account, his mother and grandmother made such a soup when he was a child, and he and his brother ate it in the summer and cooled it off by pouring cold milk into it. Years later, he decided to create something similar to it for his diners at the Ritz-Carlton, and vichyssoise was born. It is celebrated and enjoyed today on National Vichyssoise Day!

How to Observe National Vichyssoise Day

Celebrate by having some vichyssoise! Why not make your own? You could make Louis Diat's recipe, Julia Child's recipe, Anthony Bourdain's recipe, or one of many other recipes. If you don't feel like cooking, you could have some at a restaurant.

Exclusive Content

Enjoying Checkiday? It takes a lot of support from fans like you to run a free website. For exclusive content and other perks, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!

Sponsor

This event does not currently have a sponsor. If you'd like to increase visibility for this event while gaining exposure for yourself or your brand, you can learn more here!

Something Wrong or Missing?

We would love to hear from you! Please contact us using this form.

Observation Notifications

Would you like to be notified before the next observation? Add this event directly to your calendar with this link. You may also sign up here to be told when other notifications are available!