Lobster Thermidor is a dish that many people equate with elegance and fine dining. It’s a French dish consisting of lobster meat cooked in a rich wine sauce, then stuffed back into the lobster shell and browned.

This dish is believed to have been created near the end of the 19th century, but some sources cite that it was invented well before that date. Regardless of when it was invented or who invented it, one thing is certain.

There’s a holiday that now celebrates it. This holiday is known as National Lobster Thermidor Day, and it’s observed annually on January 24th. It might just be the excuse some people need to try out this dish for the first time.

The History of Lobster Thermidor Day

Some people believe that Lobster Thermidor was first created by Leopold Mourier at Café de Paris or perhaps Chez Marie sometime near the end of the 19th century. Other sources state that this recipe was invented well before then. Some people say that it was actually invented during the 18th century as a dish to be served to the French military and political leader, Napoleon Bonaparte.

As can be clearly seen, the history of Lobster Thermidor is pretty convoluted, but then again, so is the history of Lobster Thermidor Day. Although news of this holiday has spread from one part of the Internet to another, no one really knows where it came from or who invented it. Like so many “Internet Holidays,” it just appeared spontaneously sometime around 2012.

Some Cool Facts About Lobster

Lobsters are some pretty cool creatures. That’s why we like to learn all that we can about them. So when we had to write a section featuring cool lobster facts, we were more than ready to do so. The following list contains just some of the facts that we know about these marine crustaceans that we would like to share with everyone for Lobster Thermidor Day.

• During colonial times, lobster was only eaten by the poor and downtrodden.
• Lobsters can be brown, yellow, or green in nature. They don’t turn red until they’re cooked.
• Blue lobsters do exist, but they’re extremely rare.
• Lobsters can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh as much as 40 pounds.

Observing Lobster Thermidor Day

We can see no other way of celebrating this holiday than by taking the time to enjoy Lobster Thermidor — either a dish that the person prepares themselves or a dish that they enjoy at a French restaurant.

Sure, some people may observe this holiday by learning more about lobsters, but in our opinion, enjoying a succulent Lobster Thermidor is really the only way to enjoy this holiday. If you manage to get your hands on one, don’t forget to let us all know about it using the hashtag #LobsterThermidorDay on social media.