It’s National Vichyssoise Day, so what IS it, anyway?

Observed annually on November 18th, National Vichyssoise Day (generally pronounced as “ Vish – e- swaz”) is dedicated to honoring the cold soup that has warmed many hearts – the Vichyssoise! This French-styled soup is essentially a fancy creamy potato soup with pureed onions, leeks, and chicken broth.  It is commonly served cold, yet it’s fine if you’d rather have it hot.

Even though Vichyssoise has a very French sounding name, it was actually was created in America by Chef Louis Diat in 1917, while he was working at Ritz-Carlton, New York. The soup, which Chef Diat originally called “Creme Vichyssoise Glacee,” was named after one of the Chef’s favorite towns in France – Vichy, hence the French moniker.

While some conspiracy theorists claim the cold soup was founded by King Louis XV, who supposedly preferred his servants to check the soup for poison before being served it to him and this often resulted in a cold bowl of his favorite potato soup, most people agree with the records of it being invented by Chef Louis Diat. Louis remembered his childhood, when his mother’s leek and potato soup would be cooled using cold milk, thereby adding more flavor to the soup.  From humble beginnings to the NYC Ritz Carlton – not too shabby!

The blend of leek, potato, onions, chicken broth, and cream makes it a healthy and filling option for an evening snack or dinner. It is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that suits well for any occasion, but since it’s traditionally a cold soup, it’s often served in warmer months.  That being the case, why its National Day is in November, no one can seem to explain.

There are many versions of the Vichyssoise Soup such as Cauliflower Vichyssoise soup, Avocado Vichyssoise, Carrot Ginger Vichyssoise among many others! If you are not a fan of these you may stick to the traditional version or add a dash of creativity and make the soup your own!

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