National Vichyssoise Day 2023: Date, History, 5 Facts About Vichyssoise

In order to alleviate the sweltering summer heat, Louis Diat's family prepared the broth with chilled milk.

National Vichyssoise Day 2023: National Vichyssoise Day is annually observed in the United States on November 18. It is the day when hearty soup prepared with cream, poultry stock, leeks, potatoes, and onions pureed together is recognized and enjoyed. Despite the soup’s French name potentially posing a pronunciation challenge, the standard pronunciation is “vish-i-swaz.” Due to its rich and creamy consistency, the soup is adored by many; it is also incredibly simple to prepare and provides a satisfying meal. While the broth is customarily served chilled, its temperature can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.

National Vichyssoise Day 2023: History

It was prevalent in nineteenth-century France to prepare soups with leeks and potatoes liquefied. During that era, French cookbooks referred to these stews as “Potage Parmentier” or “Potage à la Parmentier,” in honor of Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, a French nutritionist and scholar who was instrumental in introducing potatoes to France. The recipes for these soups resembled the Vichyssoise broth.

Culinary historians have encountered difficulty in identifying a singular, definitive source for this broth. A historical anecdote suggests that King Louis XV of France, fearing poisoning, requested his attendants to sample a potato leek soup that had been served to him. However, by the time he began to consume it, the soup had already chilled. Julia Child, who referred to it as “an American invention,” provided another account. According to her account, Vichyssoise was created in 1917 when Louis Diat, a French chef at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City, adapted a recipe for potato and leek soup that had been passed down from his mother and grandmother. Diat was from the French village of Vichy. A 1950 interview with Diat that appeared in the “New Yorker” validated this story.

Additionally, the New Yorker article stated that the broth was known as “Crème Vichyssoise Glacée” and derived its name from the city of Vichy. In 1869, Julius Gouffé, a French chef, also authored a cookbook that featured a hot variation of the identical broth.

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5 Facts About Vichyssoise

Antoni Bourdain favored Vichyssoise.

The broth was one of the culinary creations renowned chef Anthony Bourdain endorsed and the recipe for which was included in his inaugural cookbook, “Kitchen Confidential.”

The cameo apparition of Vichyssoise in Batman

Bruce Wayne tries the soup in Batman Returns and exclaims to his butler Alfred, “It’s cold!” Alfred confirms Bruce Wayne’s statement, “It’s supposed to be cold.”

Varieties of versions

Should you prefer an alternative preparation such as Cauliflower Vichyssoise, Avocado Vichyssoise, or Carrot-Ginger Vichyssoise, rather than potatoes and leeks?

Summer broth vichyssoise is prepared in this manner.

In order to alleviate the sweltering summer heat, Louis Diat’s family prepared the broth with chilled milk.

Vichyssoise broth is nutritious.

Protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamin C are all abundant in the soup.