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Happy August, or should we say… Happy Sandwich Month (because it is). Check any calendar. It truly is. Hmm, Sandwich Month. So much to dig our teeth into. Where do we start? How about we start with John Montagu, the infamous Right Honourable 4th Earl of Sandwich? History is unclear as to what the other three Earls of Sandwich accomplished in their lifetimes, but this one was an icon. Probably not for his military career, which was less than remarkable. In fact, the history books have called him incompetent and a bunch of other words that nobody wants to be called in the history books. He also had a colourful relationship history, and a lineage of children from various women. So, while his military career reads as a list of (literally) epic fails, his conquests are readworthy in their own way. But what does that matter? Why is any of that important when the man is considered to be the inventor of the sandwich? He sank some ships and lost some wars, but where would we be without a good old cheese and tomato? Life just wouldn’t be the same, would it? The legend of this gastronomic invention pulls us back into scandal and intrigue. Because history has it that this particular Earl was quite the compulsive gambler. And - if you believe the legend - he only invented a sandwich so he could eat with one hand and continue gambling with the other. His passion for efficiency was revered by others, and soon the “sandwich” was a thing. And over two centuries later, as we pack school lunchboxes, we continue the legacy of a man who had no idea what he’d started. In fact, the sandwich has officially been declared Britain’s contribution to world gastronomy. (In fairness, though, it didn’t have a whole lot of competition.) But the drama doesn’t end there. (Bet you thought it did…) Because in the United States, court battles have raged on the subject of what constitutes a sandwich. You would think American courts had more important things to do, but judges across the country have had to make rulings to settle sandwich debates. For example, in 2006 a Boston court ruled that a sandwich by definition must include two slices of bread. This legal judgment effectively ruled out tacos, burritos and quesadillas. In 2024, however, a court in Indiana ruled that the so-called “Mexican sandwiches” were indeed sandwiches after all. And a New York court extended the definition even further to include hot dogs, pitas and wraps. In addition to proving that certain courts in certain countries have loads of time on their hands, what this illustrates is that the sandwich continues to be somewhat contentious. At the same time, it continues to be almost universally loved. After all, not every food has a month in its honour. So, who’s ready for a lunchtime snack (with grateful thanks to Right Honourable John Montagu)? May this August be delicious in every way! |