Cardini, Cesare

Cesare Cardini was an Italian-born restaurateur who moved to Tijuana, Mexico, during Prohibition to serve alcohol. In 1924, facing a shortage of ingredients, he created the Caesar salad using romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, lemons, bread cubes, olive oil, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. He instructed his chefs to toss the ingredients tableside, adding a theatrical element.

Cardini later marketed his salad dressing, and by the 1940s, the Caesar salad became a global restaurant staple. The original recipe, as published by his daughter, remains largely unchanged. The Cardini name continues through a brand of bottled dressing, and the salad itself is a worldwide menu standard.12