Cheesecake Day

Cheesecake Slice. © Max Straeten / morguefile.com

The 30th of July is Cheesecake Day.

Most people have no idea how cheesecake originated — whether it’s a product of 1950’s kitchen kitsch, perhaps, or whether it’s older… much older. Truth to be told, though, most people don’t let such mysteries slow their fork down when there’s a piece of cheesecake in front of them. Almost everyone loves it, and with cheese in it, it’s easier to tell yourself that it’s good for you as well. Even those who resist it see their defences often crumbling when it’s chocolate cheesecake to boot.

And unlike other holidays, with their connotations of gathering near ones and dear ones close to you, Cheesecake Day enthusiasts will say most categorically this is one holiday that’s not about sharing.

There’s no universal agreement, though, on when exactly Cheesecake Day is:

• Dates suggested include the 23rd of April, the 28th of July and 8th of August.
• Some people also celebrate Cherry Cheesecake Day on the 23rd of April, Blueberry Cheesecake Day on the 26th of May, and Chocolate Cheesecake Day on the 6th of March.
• Eli’s Cheesecake World in Chicago plumps for a Thursday in the second half of July every year (in 2005, it was the 28th of July, in a previous year, it was 19th July), and to back their support for a July date, they give out cheesecake samples and one whole slice of cheesecake free per person.

A forkful of cheesecake with crumb crust. © Max Straeten / morguefile.com

If you can’t get to Chicago for a free slice, but have the day off, you can always make one. Or if it’s a regular work day for you, make sure your path crosses a place that sells cheesecake, so that for lunch or break you can recognize the holiday with the appropriate rituals.

#CheesecakeDay #NationalCheesecakeDay

History

The first print mention that CooksInfo is aware of for Cheesecake Day on the 30th of July occurred in 2000 in Edmonton, Alberta:

“July 30 — National Cheesecake Day” ^[1]Warwaruk, Jody. Here’s a holiday to make you feel all sweet and gooey. Edmonton, Alberta: The Edmonton Journal. Wednesday, 30 August 2000. Page G2, col. 6.

A subsequent mention shows up in June 2004 in the Seguin Gazette Enterprise of Seguin, Texas.

(Click to enlarge) It’s just another ‘special’ day to clog up the year. Seguin Gazette Enterprise. Seguin, Texas. 27 Jun 2004. Page 4A, col. 1.