National Melba Toast Day is a holiday observed annually on March 23rd that celebrates a thinly sliced bit of crisp toast, which can be served with soup or topped with cheese or pâté. This toast is named after Dame Nellie Melba, after it became a staple of her diet during an illness in 1897.

It was invented by chef and longtime fan of Melba, Auguste Escoffier, who also happened to be the same person who invented the dessert Peach Melba and named it after her. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the Australian singer Nellie Melba or simply love toast, this is a holiday that you may want to celebrate.

The History of Melba Toast

We might not know who invented National Melba Toast Day, but we do know when Melba toast was invented. And it’s all because French chef Auguste Escoffier was a fan of Australian singer Dame Nellie Melba.

She was a big fan of toast but couldn’t find toast that was thin enough for her tastes, so he created Melba toast, and the rest is history. Although in some places Nellie Melba is no longer remembered, the toast named after her will always be, as is the holiday that’s named after the toast.

Observing National Melba Toast Day

National Melba Toast Day can be observed in one of three ways. One, you can enjoy Melba toast with your favorite topping; you can add butter, jam, or cheese to it—your choice. Two, you can take the time to learn more about Nellie Melba.

And three, you can use the hashtag #NationalMelbaToastDay on your social media accounts to spread the word about this holiday. If you’re completely unfamiliar with Melba toast, this is a good day to acquaint yourself with this simple but marvelous food, enjoyed by everyone from infants to the elderly and everyone in between.