The Hazards of Being a "Taster"

Thanks to FastCoDesign for posting this infographic reminding us that some of the worst jobs in past centuries have involved cooking and dining. For example, consider what it was like to be the official "taster" of meals for the 16th century emperor of the Indian state of Hindustan.  The infographic points out that if the emperor eats tainted food, the taster can "expect to be hacked to death."

Being a 14th century alewife in England also had its on-the-job perils.  Read more about it here.

He Prefers NYC's Omelets

After the indie-rock band Vampire Weekend concluded the tour for its hit album Contra, band member Ezra Koenig decided to move his residence from New York City to Los Angeles. Four months later, Koenig returned to the Big Apple. Perhaps food played a role. "They never make omelets the way they do in New York," Koenig told Rolling Stone magazine this year.

Stephen Harper's Seal Meal

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper ate seal for the first time in 2009, and he did it to send a message.  Right after the European Union voted to impose a ban on hunting seals, Harper ate a slaughtered seal’s raw heart to show solidarity with his nation’s aboriginal seal hunters.

Months later, Harper joined his cabinet to eat a lunch featuring the rib meat and liver of a seal. Even before he had digested this meal, the prime minister criticized the EU.  “There is no reason the seal industry should be singled out for discriminatory treatment by Europeans or any other nation, and I've been very outspoken on that,” he said.

Paying Your Taxes in South Carolina

Rice was a widely grown crop in the southern colonies of the U.S., and it was used to make a variety of foods, including rice waffles. But perhaps the oddest use of rice was authorized in 1691 by officials in the colony of South Carolina.

Officials in that colony voted to allow its residents to pay their taxes in rice.

Cleveland Liked Simple Grub

Grover Cleveland was born on this day in 1837 in Caldwell, New Jersey. As his ample frame attested, Cleveland loved to eat. Unfortunately, the kind of comfort food that Cleveland adored was not within the repertoire of the French chef he inherited from outgoing President Chester Arthur.

A frustrated Cleveland wrote a friend: "I must go to dinner, but I wish it was to eat pickled herring, Swiss cheese, and a chop at Louis’ instead of the French stuff I shall find." Awaiting dinner on another night, President Cleveland caught the aromas of corned beef and cabbage coming from the servants’ quarters. Cleveland ordered his valet to take the dinner prepared for him "down to the servants and bring their dinner to me."