Roll Cuisine Corner
When a Sandwich
Was Just a Sandwich
by Pierre-Luc Moeys, Owner/Chef Oriole 9
Though the concept of meat between two pieces of bread dates
back to pre-Roman times, the ubiquitous “sandwich”
is unquestionably named after the Fourth Count of Sandwich,
John Montagu (1718-1792), a British diplomat, minister and
financial supporter of Captain Cook’s second and third
major voyages, which resulted in his having the Sandwich Islands
named after him. Serving in a variety of posts including Secretary
of State and First Lord of the Admiralty, he could not avoid
being held partly responsible for the “loss” of
the American colonies. (Years later, the Sandwich Islands
would be re-named “Hawaii.” More bad news.)
Legend has it that he was quite the card playing man. In
those times gambling wasn’t so much a recreation as
it was almost a professional necessity. One particular game
went late, as the story goes, and leaving the table was not
an option. Two slices of toasted bread were called for, with
a piece of beef in the middle, so he could continue play while
eating, without making a big mess. Apparently, other gamblers
and personages must have noticed the convenience and demanded
similar treatment as the new dish quickly became a big trend,
immortalizing the good count who, with billions of his namesake
eventually served in the United States, can certainly be said
to have finally conquered America.
(One critic once said of Montagu that “seldom has
any man held so many offices and accomplished so little.”
Nobody seems to remember the critic’s name, though.)
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