Eating History: The Surprising Real People Behind General Tso's Chicken, Pizza Margherita, Eggs Benedict, Caesar Salad, Kung Pao Chicken, and Beef Wellington

What's really in a name? In this episode of Why's That, Dad?, we unpack the fascinating human stories hiding inside some of the world's most iconic dishes — from a Qing Dynasty warlord who never tasted the sticky-sweet chicken bearing his name, to a hungover Wall Street broker who accidentally invented brunch, to a queen whose royal pizza endorsement may have been an elaborate con. We explore how food naming intersects with politics, immigration, colonial history, and culinary nationalism. Whether you're a food historian, a curious parent, or just someone who orders General Tso's without a second thought, this episode will permanently change the way you read a menu.