story by Jordan Pupa
(Brandy Stellingworth of Retrofit Sip-n-Seat pictured. Photo credit: Bryan Edward Creative.)
If you check out the hashtag #brunch on Instagram, your feed will likely include a wide array of visually appealing, mouthwatering plates of food. Brunch, which combines breakfast and lunch, has become a driving innovation mostly due to its popularity amongst millennials who desire social experiences and efficiency. Sleeping in late, but still making the most of the weekend is important! While classic brunch menu items such as Belgian Waffles and Eggs Benedict remain, edgier and creative dishes such as Chicken and Waffles, Cannoli Cream French Toast, and Bacon Deviled Eggs contribute to the excitement of the overall meal experience. Of course, don’t forget the now commonplace bottomless Mimosa or Bloody Mary’s! While the meal is popular today, many of us have no idea how it came to be!
British author Guy Beringer first used the word “brunch” back in 1895 in Hunter’s Weekly. He made the case that post-church Sunday meals should not be lengthy, multi-course meals of heavy meats and cheeses, but rather lighter fare served late in the morning. He described brunch as being, “cheerful, sociable, and inciting.” Guy Beringer may have used the word first, but he did not come up with the meal himself.
Food historians believe that the meal came to be from either of the South’s favorite pastimes—hunting or church-going. Some historians think brunch started thanks to the pre-hunt breakfasts, which were common in England, and were traditionally lavish meals. They included a feast of meats hunted that day along with classic “brunch staples” such as eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. On the other hand, some believe Sunday brunch started thanks to Catholics who would fast before mass and then eat a large lunch after church.
It is said that brunch in the United States got its start in Chicago around the 1930s when Hollywood stars making their way across the country on trains would stop in Chicago to enjoy a late morning meal. Thanks to its celebrity boosters, brunch became a hit and began to spread and eventually gained popularity in other major cities.
With that being said, no matter where you live, brunch shows no signs of slowing down or going away! The sweet and savory mix of the foods, the drinks, and the social gatherings of friends and family make it a weekend “must do” activity!
The Midnight Rooster | Saturdays 8am-2pm
136 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville
Retrofit Sip-n-Seat | Saturdays 10am-3pm
152 Mantissa Row, Hartsville
Victors | Saturdays & Sundays 9am-3pm
126 W Evans St, Florence
Local Motive Brewing Company | Sundays 11am-until
123 North Dargan Street, Florence