At the Waldorf

George Hirsch September 22, 2025

This is one of the sides that brings me right back to my humble days of early chef-dom - a very classical and very good Waldorf Salad.

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel c1899

A bit behind the salad history: Oscar Tschirky, maître d’hôtel at the Waldorf Hotel in NYC, is credited with creating this recipe in the 1890s, as well as many other recipes. Veal Oscar, anyone? I'll save that for another post.

The Waldorf Salad is simply apples, celery, and mayonnaise served on a lettuce leaf. But that’s where it all begins. Walnuts became a common addition years later, as did grapes and other dried fruit such as raisins, apricots, and sultanas. My friend Tony even opted to add the aforementioned and cut the mayo with good Greek yogurt, which is very refreshing and lighter than all mayo or a combo of mayo & unsweetened whipped cream.

Things have changed since the 1890s, so go ahead and put your own spin on the Waldorf; Oscar won’t mind. Use a culinary license, prepare it with apples and toasted nuts, cut the mayo, and even substitute it with today’s olive oil mayo, which I prefer. Serve some grilled chicken or shrimp on the side, and then you are talking about a healthy main dish.

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Oscar

George Hirsch April 23, 2021

In honor of the 93rd Academy Awards, it's time to celebrate the Oscars. There will be an estimated 20+ million people watching, entertaining + celebrating the Oscars this Sunday. But there is another noteworthy Oscar celebrated at many Waldorf parties and would be a welcomed winner in the top food category.

Oscar Tschirky, maître d’hôtel of Delmonico’s Restaurant and the Waldorf Astoria in NYC — **Oscar Tschirky**, maître d’hôtel of Delmonico’s Restaurant and the Waldorf Astoria in NYC

He is known as the creator of such popular classic dishes as Waldorf Salad, Veal Oscar, Eggs Benedict, and Thousand Island Dressing. It may just be the name implies thousands of recipes - for this dressing, and rumors abound as to the true creator. I can assure you it was not Kraft or Wish-Bone, though. This is what I believe to be true, or Oscar of The Waldorf.

The Oscars Award Banquet, 1940, The Ambassador Hotel

At the turn of the century, self-made multi-millionaire and hotel magnate George C. Boldt, owner of the New York City's Waldorf Astoria, enjoyed vacationing in the 1000 Islands. Mr. Boldt and his wife Louise enjoyed this area of the St. Lawrence River region so much so that George had Boldt Castle built for his wife. He would entertain many wealthy friends and business associates on the island.

Oscar accompanied Mr. Boldt on his trips to the 1000 Islands and George Boldt's Castle. On one trip aboard the yacht, Oscar improvised with the ingredients he had aboard the yacht and concocted the dressing for which the region is now known worldwide. Afterward, Mr. Boldt started serving the dressing at his hotels.

Oscar’s classic Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

“Take one cup mayonnaise dressing, mix, with one-half cup whipped cream, add a small amount of Tarragon vinegar, one-half teaspoonful of Imperial Sauce, then chop one hard-boiled egg, one green pepper, one pimento, one pinch chives, mix well together, and squeeze the juice of one lemon before serving.” You can serve most salads with Thousand Island dressing.

The wide appeal of this dressing has gone far beyond elegant salads served aboard yachts on the St. Lawrence River. Burger joints have topped their meat patties for years with this special sauce - remember that jingle? Then there’s, of course, my preferred In-N-Out-Burgers, where all burgers come standard with Thousand Island dressing. BTW, a secret menu item called "Animal Style"; fries come with Thousand Island Dressing in addition to grilled onions and melted cheese. But when I hear Thousand Island Dressing, I think of a dish with a little more of a classical take, like the topping on a Dungeness Crab or Shrimp Louis.

Click below to watch my updated version of a classic Shrimp Salad…

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Oscar and Thousand Island

George Hirsch February 22, 2015

Oscar Tschirky, maître d’hôtel of Delmonico’s Restaurant and the Waldorf Astoria in NYC is known as the creator of such popular classic dishes as Waldorf Salad, Veal Oscar, Eggs Benedict and Thousand Island Dressing. It may just be the name implies thousands of recipes - for this dressing, and rumors abound as to the true creator. I can assure you it was not Kraft or Wish-Bone though. This is the story I believe to be true or Oscar of The Waldorf has the best PR agency ever!

At the turn of the century, self-made multi-millionaire and hotel magnate George C. Boldt, (I have my own Thousand Island story, but it doesn’t involve dressing, so it will have to wait) owner of the New York City's Waldorf Astoria enjoyed vacationing in the 1000 Islands. Mr. Boldt and his wife Louise enjoyed this area of the St. Lawrence River region so much so that George had Boldt Castle built for his wife. Nice guy. He would entertain many wealthy friends and business associates on the island.

Many times Oscar accompanied Mr. Boldt on his trips to the 1000 Islands and to George Boldt's Castle. On one trip aboard the yacht, Oscar improvised with the ingredients he had aboard the yacht, and concocted the dressing for which the region is now known for around the globe. Afterwards, Mr. Boldt started serving the dressing at his hotels.

So where are these islands of dressing fame? The 1000 Islands Region encompasses both sides of the US and Canadian border along the St. Lawrence River and the eastern shores of Lake Ontario. The region takes its name from the more than 1000 islands that dot the lake and river along this international waterway. The region extends from Kingston to Cornwall on the Canadian side, and from Oswego to Massena on the US side; reaching inland to the foothills of the Adirondack mountains to embrace the communities that are west and north of the Adirondack Park, and the four NY Counties of Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.

The wide appeal of this dressing has gone far beyond elegant salads served aboard yachts on the St. Lawrence River. Burger joints have topped their meat patties for years with this special sauce - remember that jingle? Then there’s of course my preferred In-N-Out-Burgers, where all burgers come standard with Thousand Island dressing. BTW, a secret menu item called "Animal Style"; fries come with Thousand Island Dressing in addition to grilled onions and melted cheese. But when I hear Thousand Island Dressing I think of a dish with a little more of a classical take; like the topping on a Dungeness Crab or Shrimp Louis. I am sure that would make Oscar smile!

Could this be Oscar’s classic Thousand Island Dressing Recipe? It just might be.

Take one cup mayonnaise dressing, mix, with one-half cup whipped cream, add small amount of Tarragon vinegar, one-half teaspoonful of Imperial Sauce, then chop one hard boiled egg, one green pepper, one pimento, one pinch chives, mix well together and squeeze the juice of one lemon before serving. This sauce can be served with any kind of salad."--Kansas City Star [Missouri], November 26, 1912

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13 EPISODES on 4 HD-DVD Disk Set, season one