National Chef Appreciation Day celebrates the culinary professionals who bring creativity, passion, and flavor to our tables. This special day honors chefs worldwide for their dedication to creating memorable dining experiences and their contributions to the culinary arts.
Quick Facts
When is it?: October 20th annually
Tagged as: Culinary Holiday, Professional Appreciation Day
What’s the hashtag?: #ChefAppreciationDay #NationalChefDay
When was it founded?: 2013
Who founded it?: Donald and Lisa Crutch through Chefs Against Cancer organization
History
What began as a small initiative to recognize culinary professionals has grown into a global celebration. By 2018, the celebration had spread to over 30 countries, uniting under the theme “Great People Inspire Great Food!” The day promotes not just chef recognition but also sustainable kitchen practices and creative approaches to preventing food waste.
Timeline
• Ancient Rome: First cookbook written by Marcus Apicius with 400+ recipes
• 1889: First pizza delivery made to Italian royalty
• 2013: Chef Appreciation Day established
• 2018: Celebration expands to 30+ countries
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | October | 20 | Sunday |
| 2025 | October | 20 | Monday |
| 2026 | October | 20 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | October | 20 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | October | 20 | Thursday |
| 2029 | October | 20 | Friday |
How It’s Observed
• Food art exhibitions
• Cooking workshops
• Children’s culinary activities
• Restaurant special events
• Social media celebrations
Fun Facts About Chefs
• Chef hat pleats indicate the number of ways they can cook eggs
• The Michelin Guide was originally created by a tire company
• Potato chips were invented as a prank by an annoyed chef
• A special chef’s knife was made from meteorite for Anthony Bourdain
Quiz
- Who wrote the world’s first cookbook?
- In which year was Chef Appreciation Day founded?
- What does the number of pleats in a chef’s hat represent?
-(Answers: 1. Marcus Apicius 2. 2013 3. Number of ways to cook eggs)
FAQs
Q: How can I celebrate Chef Appreciation Day?
A: Show gratitude to chefs, try new recipes, share cooking experiences
Q: Why is it important?
A: It recognizes culinary professionals’ contributions and promotes healthy eating
Related Celebrations
• International Food Day
• World Culinary Arts Day
• Restaurant Week
• World Food Safety Day
• Global Cuisine Celebration