National Bouillabaisse Day

Keerthana Ramasamy
Dec 22, 2023 By Keerthana Ramasamy
Originally Published on Mar 11, 2022
Fact-checked by Amatullah Gulbargawala
Learn about National Bouillabaisse Day.

Where is National Bouillabaisse Day celebrated?

Though it is a national day, this delicious seafood day can be celebrated worldwide.

Who is National Bouillabaisse Day celebrated by?

National Bouillabaisse Day on December 14 gives seafood lovers everywhere a reason to celebrate.

When did National Bouillabaisse Day first start?

Bouillabaisse Day is a fun food day, popular among seafood lovers. The first traces of Bouillabaisse Day remain unknown.

Who started National Bouillabaisse Day?

There are no official records of who started the day, but not the bouillabaisse recipe. All thanks to the fishermen of Marseille who first started having fish stew in 600 BC, the dish was then developed and the broth was added in the 19th century. The authentic stew was prepared with common fishes like rockfish and shellfish.

History And Timeline

The founding history and origin of the National Bouillabaisse Day are unknown. So, let's dig deep into the history of bouillabaisse.    

The Origin Of Bouillabaisse

The dish was originated in ancient Greece when the Phoceans founded Marseille in 600 BC. They ate a simple stew known as 'kakavia' in Greek, similar to bouillabaisse.

600BC

Authentic Bouillabaisse

The authentic bouillabaisse began in ancient Greece when fishermen, from Marseille, made this dish to create a meal when they returned to the port. Originally they prepared this with rockfish and shellfish, but late more ingredients developed such as red rascasse, sea bass, and European conger.

16th Century

World Recipe

In the 1600s, a recipe of the New World, bouillabaisse amazed everyone in the world. After it was introduced in America, bouillabaisse's authentic recipe was added with a few more ingredients, making it the flavor recipe in use till now. The ingredients include tomatoes, celery, potatoes, and onions.

17th century

Bougie In Restaurants

In the 1800s, restaurants, and hotels served bouillabaisse in the name of 'bougie.' Only upper-class people were served this dish.

1800s

French Chef Cookbook

In 1968, the famous chef named Julia Child published her bouillabaisse recipe in her cookbook called 'The French Chef Cookbook.' 

1968

Traditions And Customs

If you love exploring different cultures, celebrate this authentic Mediterranean delicacy.

On this day, attempt to make this popular fish soup with red rascasse fish, and we are sure you'll love this new addition to your dinner menu. Bouillabaisse can be a great alternative to chicken or beef.

Ways To Celebrate National Bouillabaisse Day

There is nothing more comforting than celebrating Bouillabaisse Day with a hot pot of rice and some bouillabaisse. First, serve the broth in a soup plate, with a rouille sauce commonly made with olive oil, saffron, garlic, cayenne pepper, and bread rubbed with garlic.

Then serve the fish separately on a larger platter. You can also serve them together on a large soup plate.

If you are passionate and excited to create new recipes, get creative with bouillabaisse today. Share your new bouillabaisse recipe with your loved ones.

If you don't want to make it too messy, grab your friends and family and order it from your favorite restaurant.

Finally, share the story of your celebrations, giving this authentic stew a shoutout.

Facts And Stats

  • The first traces of Bouillabaisse Day in December was mentioned by print media. They also mentioned that CooksInfo is aware of Bouillabaisse Day.
  • The day to celebrate bouillabaisse is celebrated nationally in the US as this flavorful stew has been popular since the 16th century. Bouillabaisse got its name due to the procedure and not its ingredients.
  • National Bouillabaisse Day is not as old as the recipe. The earliest traces of bouillabaisse was founded in 600 BC when Phoceans (an ancient Greek city) founded Marseille.

What is the significance of National Bouillabaisse Day?

The day celebrates the flavorful fish stew that gives you a warm winter.

How is National Bouillabaisse Day in the US different from National Lobster Day?

National Bouillabaisse Day celebrates the traditional fish stew, while National Lobster Day celebrates the taste of a seafood favorite.

What is the history and origin of National Bouillabaisse Day in the US?

The recipe's origin is traced to 600 BC when Marseille was founded. Locals have stated that bouillabaisse recipes vary from family to family. The first identified recipe was from a Marseille fisherman who created the dish because they wanted to make dinner when they returned to the port.

Why do people love National Bouillabaisse Day?

Bouillabaisse's subtle flavor makes people fall in love. Key flavors added to the broth are floral saffron, bay, orange zest, tomatoes, cayenne pepper, and olive oil.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, December 14, 2020
  • Tuesday, December 14, 2021
  • Wednesday, December 14, 2022
  • Thursday, December 14, 2023
  • Saturday, December 14, 2024

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Sources

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-bouillabaisse-day-december-14/

https://nationaltoday.com/national-bouillabaisse-day/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bouillabaisse-day/

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Written by Keerthana Ramasamy

Bachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Keerthana Ramasamy picture

Keerthana RamasamyBachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

With a background in electrical and electronics engineering from Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Keerthana brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative flair to her role as a content writer. Her natural curiosity and passion for exploring new career paths led her to the exciting world of content marketing, where she has honed her content optimization, SEO, and Google Analytics skills. Keerthana's experience as a Content Marketing Specialist at GetMyUni has provided her with hands-on experience in digital marketing and editing, allowing her to create engaging and impactful content.

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Fact-checked by Amatullah Gulbargawala

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in the Language Arts

Amatullah Gulbargawala picture

Amatullah GulbargawalaBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in the Language Arts

Amatullah is a passionate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Ashoka College of Education. With a keen interest in literature, she has excelled in elocution competitions and is an accomplished writer. She has completed courses like "History of English Language and Literature", "Introduction to Western Political Thought and Theory", and "Development of Soft Skills and Personality". In her free time, Amatullah enjoys reading books and writing poetry.

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