National Food Service Workers Day – September 25, 2026

History of National Food Service Workers Day

On September 25, we come together to celebrate National Food Service Workers Day. It’s a day dedicated to those who work in the food service industry. The food service industry is considered to be the second-largest industry in the U.S. While it is not known when this day was officially created nor who founded it, the gesture is warmly received.

The practice of preparing food as a form of business or craft can be traced back to the 11th century. Guilds provided this service to a community and over the years they became more specialized. Knowledge would be passed down from guild members to apprentices so they could learn the specific skills required of the profession. Examples of specialized food craftsmen would be bakers and butchers.

Before restaurants, there were inns. Inns could be found alongside roads to cater to people traveling between cities, offering lodging and food. There were no menus or options to choose from and guests sat and were served at common tables.

Early eating establishments that resembled modern-day restaurants emerged in China during the 11th and 12th centuries. These catered to merchants who were traveling between cities. In Japan, tea houses emerged in the 16th century.

France has a rich history of developing various forms of inns and eateries. In the 13th century, French inns served a variety of food — bread, cheese, bacon, soup, roasts, and stews all eaten at a common table. Take-out food could be bought from ‘rôtisseurs.’

The number of restaurants grew after the French Revolution. Many unemployed chefs from aristocratic households opened their restaurants. The changes that were brought about by the industrial revolution and the disestablishment of the culinary guilds also contributed to the increase of restaurants in Europe.