Mayfair salad dressing facts for kids
| Type | Salad dressing |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Created by | Cornelius Deken, Mayfair Hotel |
| Main ingredients | Cooking oil (corn or canola), eggs, anchovies, garlic, mustard or horseradish mustard, celery, onions, champagne, and black peppercorns |
Mayfair salad dressing is a special kind of salad dressing. It is known for having anchovies as one of its main ingredients. This unique dressing was first made at the famous Mayfair Hotel in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.
The Story Behind Mayfair Dressing
The Mayfair salad dressing was created for the Mayfair Room. This was the hotel's restaurant. It was the very first five-star restaurant in Missouri. The restaurant had a fancy style, inspired by the Elizabethan era.
Who Created It?
Many people believe that Chef Fred Bangerter created this dressing. He likely made it around the year 1935. It quickly became a popular item at the hotel.
What's In It?
Mayfair salad dressing is made with a base of oil and whole eggs. The oil can be corn oil or canola oil.
Key Ingredients
The dressing gets its special flavor from several ingredients:
- Anchovies: These are small, salty fish. They add a unique taste.
- Garlic: A common ingredient that adds a strong flavor.
- Prepared mustard: This can be regular mustard or even horseradish mustard.
- Celery and onion: These vegetables add freshness and a bit of crunch.
- Champagne: A type of sparkling wine that adds a special touch.
- Black peppercorns: These give the dressing a spicy kick.
Sometimes, a flavor enhancer called glutamate is also used. It helps to make the other flavors stand out more.
Learn More
You can find out more about this dressing and other St. Louis recipes here: Try this salad recipe from the St. Louis World's Fair exhibit.
