Today is...

[IceWizard]

Friday 03 June 2016

National Doughnut Day



National Doughnut Day, or National Donut Day - celebrated in the United States of America, is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Doughnut Day event created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor those of their members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.

The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a. "donut") – an edible, torus-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened.

Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day.

National Doughnut Day started in 1938[1] as a fund raiser for Chicago's The Salvation Army. Their goal was to help those in need during the Great Depression, and to honor The Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers.

About 250 Salvation Army volunteers went to France. Because of the difficulties of providing freshly baked goods from huts established in abandoned buildings near to the front lines, the two Salvation Army volunteers (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance) came up with the idea of providing doughnuts. These are reported to have been an "instant hit", and "soon many soldiers were visiting The Salvation Army huts".

Margaret Sheldon wrote of one busy day: "Today I made 22 pies, 300 doughnuts, 700 cups of coffee."

Soon, the women who did this work became known by the servicemen as "Doughnut Girls".





And



National Fish and Chip Day



Fish and chips became a stock meal among the working classes in England as a consequence of the rapid development of trawl fishing in the North Sea, and the development of railways which connected the ports to major industrial cities during the second half of the 19th century, so that fresh fish could be rapidly transported to the heavily populated areas.

Fried fish was first brought to England by Spanish Jews, and is considered the model for the fish element of the dish. Originally, Spanish Jews settling in England in the 17th century would have prepared fried fish in a manner similar to Pescado frito, which is coated in a flour. Battered fish is first coated in flour then dipped into a batter consisting of flour mixed with liquid, usually water but sometimes beer.

Some newer modifications to the recipe may have cornflour added, and instead of beer sometimes soda water is added.

In 1860, the first fish and chip shop was opened in London by Joseph Malin.

The modern fish-and-chip shop ("chippy" or "chipper" in modern English slang)originated in the United Kingdom, although outlets selling fried food occurred commonly throughout Europe.

Early fish-and-chip shops had only very basic facilities. Usually these consisted principally of a large cauldron of cooking fat, heated by a coal fire. The fish- and-chip shop later evolved into a fairly standard format, with the food served, in paper wrappings, to queuing customers, over a counter behind which the fryers were located.

During World War II fish and chips remained one of the few foods in the United Kingdom not subject to rationing.

British fish and chips were originally served in a wrapping of old newspapers, but this practice largely ceased as a result of European Union directives, with plain paper, cardboard or plastic being used instead.


A blue plaque in Oldham (Greater Manchester) marking the site of England's first chip shop

---

---

---