FOOD TRIVIA: Cakes, Cookies and Pie

The expressions, "Cake Walk", "A piece of cake" and "Takes the cake" probably derive from the 19th century African - American competitions where couples who strutted most gracefully and stylishly  were awarded a cake as a prize.

A new style of wedding cake was created in the 18th century by English Chef Thomas Rich by taking inspiration from the steeple on St. Bride's Church in London., England. Up until that time, traditional wedding cakes were made in three layers; the bottom layer was served during the wedding ceremony, the second after the ceremony. The top layer was saved to be served at the christening of the first child.

Half of the cookies baked in American homes are chocolate chip.

The Oreo cookie was the best selling cookie of the 20th century.

The world's largest Gingerbread Man was made in Oslo, Norway on Nov. 9,  2009 and weighed 1435 pounds.

The precursor to the today's Gingerbread men was made by queen Elizabeth (1523-1601) by overseeing the first biscuits cut into the shape of men from gingerbread dough. 

The word pie originates from the word, "pica", Latin for the name of the Magpie bird, because the mix of  ingredients in a pie was thought to resemble the random assortment of shiny objects the male Magpie collects and puts in his nest to attract females.

Oliver Cromwell banned the eating of pie in 1644 saying it was a pagan form of pleasure, causing pies to be made and eaten "underground". In 1660 the ban was lifted by leaders of the Restoration.