How the Hot Dog Found Its Bun

How
the
Hot Dog
Found
Its
Bun

Accidental Discoveries
and

Unexpected Inspirations That Shape

What We Eat
and
Drink

Josh Chetwynd

illustrations by
David Cole Wheeler

For Jennifer and Becca

Copyright © 2012 Josh Chetwynd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.

Lyons Press is an imprint of Globe Pequot Press.

Illustrations: David Cole Wheeler

Text design: Ann Pawlick

Project editor: Julie Marsh

Layout: Maggie Peterson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN 978-0-7627-7750-1

Printed in the United States of America

E-ISBN 978-0-7627-8528-5

Contents

Introduction

Starters and Small Plates

Bisquick: Tardy train traveler

Brown ’n Serve Rolls: Fire alarm discovery

Buffalo Wings: Late night munchies

Caesar Salad: Empty refrigerator

Cheese: Not your average bag

Cobb Salad: Celebrity restaurateur

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes: Distracted, disagreeable brothers

Nachos: Ravenous army wives

Tapas: Fruit flies

Wheaties: Messy cooking

Main Courses

Chicken Marengo: Broken supply line

Chicken Tikka Masala: Fussy customer

Chimichanga: Fryer slip-up

Fettuccine Alfredo: Finicky new mom

Filet-O-Fish: Religious rules

French Dip Sandwich: Extra sauce

Philly Cheesesteak: Hungry hot dog vendor

Sandwiches: Focused gambler

Tempura: Missionaries’ menu

TV Dinners: Overstocked turkeys

Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookies: Missing ingredient

Chocolate Molten Cake (Chocolate Lava Cake): Celebrity chef flub

Cookies ’n Cream Ice Cream: Short work break

Crêpes Suzette: Clumsy waiter

Granny Smith Apples: Garbage discovery

Rhubarb: Bumbling builders

Tarte Tatin: Ditzy sister

Candies and Snacks

Cheese Puffs: Rabbit food

Chewing Gum: Deposed dictator and a nosy accountant

Doughnuts: Seafaring captain

Graham Crackers: Sex-ruining snack

Jelly Tots: Camera-ready treat

PEZ: Antismoking mint

Pop Rocks: Failed drink additive

Popsicles: Cold night and forgetful kid

Potato Chips: Take-no-guff chef

Pretzels: Holy rewards

Twinkies: Strawberry afterthought

Additives and Extras

Alka-Seltzer: Newspaper discovery

Artificial Sweeteners: Sloppy scientists

Baking Powder: Adoring husband

Corn Starch: Indomitable chemist

Hot Dog Bun: Small carts and glove thieves

Ice-Cream Cone: Debatable world’s fair find

Maple Syrup: Native American domestic clash

Marmalade: Stormy oranges

Mayonnaise: Victory spread

Nutella: Post–World War II austerity

Tabasco Sauce: Civil War epic

Whipped Cream: Student’s failed hypothesis

Worcestershire Sauce: Forgotten barrel

Drinks

Champagne: Devil’s bubbly and a timely pilgrimage

Coca-Cola: Headaches and prohibition

Coffee: Dancing goats

Cognac: Savvy Dutch merchants

Gibson Martini: Wry bartender, ingenious diplomat, or San Francisco pride

Irish Coffee: Dangerous flight

Kool-Aid: Post office complications

Ovaltine: Foul-tasting health drink

Pink Lemonade: Accidental carnival creation

Tea (and Iced Tea): Mystic brew

White Zinfandel: Lucky fermentation

Kitchen Inventions and Innovations

Cellophane: Stained tablecloth

CorningWare: Nuclear warheads

Dishwashers: Klutzy maids

Linoleum: Bedroom paint can

Matches: Unplanned friction

Microwaves: Melting candy bar

Paper Towels: Mistaken delivery

Saran Wrap: After-hours lab worker

S.O.S Pads: Desperate door-to-door salesman

Stainless Steel: From gun contract to utensils

Styrofoam: Wartime insulator

Tea Bags: Sample packaging

Teflon: Guinea pig, refrigerator coolant, and fishing gear

Acknowledgments

Notes

Selected Sources and Further Reading

About the Author