For those who love a good, juicy peach, there’s no date more important than Peach Melba Day! A celebration of a dessert adored by all generations, this is a day to indulge.
Peach Melba Day commemorates the classic dessert, peach melba. A decadent, sticky, sweet melange of peaches, raspberry sauce and ice cream, this crowd-pleaser has been served in cafes, restaurants and domestic kitchens all over the world. Invented in the early 1900s, peach melba quickly became a firm favorite, and it has been delighting children and adults since.
History of Peach Melba Day
Peach melba is a pudding that was developed and honed by a famous chef in homage to his friend, opera singer, Nellie Melba. While establishing her career on the opera circuit, soprano Nellie frequently stayed in London, and she enjoyed nothing more than eating out, often opting for the restaurants of the esteemed chef, Auguste Escoffier. Escoffier was known for his lavish feasts, which often featured up to 11 courses, and occasionally, he would create something special for famous guests.
When Nellie was staying at the luxurious Savoy Hotel while Escoffier was working there as a chef, he rustled up a dessert in her honour. Originally known as ‘peach with a swan’ due to its design, the recipe was altered slightly, and a few years later, Escoffier added a generous drizzle of raspberry sauce to the formula to celebrate the opening of the Ritz Carlton, London. The dessert was named Peach Melba and paved the way for decades of celebrations dedicated to the delicious peach.
When Nellie Melba’s infamous dessert was first created, she was very slim, and the story goes that Escoffier later produced a low-calorie version for the singer, who had gained weight with age. This was how Melba toast came into being.
How to celebrate Peach Melba Day
There’s only one way to celebrate Peach Melba Day and that involves treating those taste buds and trying out this classic dessert for yourself.
Whether you’re an ambitious amateur chef, or you’re keen to let the pros do the legwork, this day is all about singing the praises of the peach and offering up gratitude to Auguste Escoffier for bringing this celebration of all things sugary and sweet to our tables.
For those who love to cook or entertain, what could be better than inviting friends and family round for a peach melba feast? Stick to Escoffier’s original recipe, or unleash your creativity and try something a little different.
Alternatively, gather people together and head for the nearest restaurant or cafe that serves peach melba and celebrate en masse, or take your creations and share them out at work. Take photos, use themed hashtags, and share experiences and stories on the web. You might be surprised at just how popular this mouthwatering mountain of ice cream, peaches, and the brightly-colored raspberry sauce has become.
An excuse to indulge and celebrate a real peach of a dessert, Peach Melba Day can be enjoyed by all!