Where Was Baked Alaska Actually Invented? (Hint: Not Alaska)
NEWS
By TIM FORSTER
Baked Alaska is a marvelous, vintage combination of cake, meringue, and ice cream. Despite the name, this dessert has almost no connection to the 49th state.
The most widely accepted origin story for Baked Alaska is that it surfaced at famed NYC’s restaurant Delmonico's. Chef Charles Ranhofer reportedly first served it in 1867.
It initially had a different name: "Alaska, Florida," referring to the disparity between the cold ice cream (Alaska), and the hot flambéed meringue (Florida).
It's generally accepted that Delmonico's version was inspired by a French dessert named "Omelette Norvégienne," which is pretty much the same as a Baked Alaska.
One of the more notable theories about Baked Alaska suggests it was invented in New Orleans by chef Antoine Alciatore, though Delmonico's story has the most evidence.
