Cooking is more than just making food. It’s full of fun facts and stories that can spice up any party. Many of us love to talk about food, but we often run out of interesting things to say.

That’s where cooking trivia comes in handy. It can turn a dull gathering into an exciting and tasty discussion. This article will give you over 177+ cooking trivia questions to use at your next party.

From odd food facts to kitchen tips, you’ll find a mix of easy and hard questions. These will test your guests’ knowledge and spark fun chats about food.

Get ready to impress your friends and learn some new things about cooking along the way!

List of  Cooking Trivia Questions & Answers

1. What is the most used herb in the world? – Parsley

2. Which fruit is the most popular and most consumed in the world? – Tomato (technically a fruit)

3. What does it mean to ‘julienne’ a vegetable? – To cut it into thin strips

4. What is the method of cooking called when you cook food in water at a temperature below boiling? – Poaching

5. What is a mandoline used for? – Slicing vegetables thinly and evenly

6. What kitchen tool is also known as a zester? – Microplane

7. What’s the term for preparing all ingredients before starting to cook? – Mise en place

8. What’s the purpose of ‘blanching’ in cooking? – To partially cook food and preserve color

9. Which utensil is best for folding ingredients together? – Rubber spatula

10. What’s the difference between chopping and dicing? – Dicing produces smaller, more uniform pieces

11. What’s the primary function of a kitchen scale? – To measure ingredients by weight

12. What does ‘sauté’ mean in cooking terms? – To cook quickly in a small amount of oil

13. What’s the purpose of a meat thermometer? – To check the internal temperature of cooked meat

14. What’s the main difference between a chef’s knife and a paring knife? – Size and purpose (chef’s knife for general cutting, paring knife for small, precise tasks)

15. What’s the purpose of a mortar and pestle in cooking? – To grind spices or make pastes

16. What does it mean to ‘cream’ ingredients in baking? – To beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

17. What’s the purpose of a double boiler? – To melt or heat delicate ingredients without direct heat

18. What’s the difference between broiling and grilling? – Broiling uses top-down heat, grilling uses bottom-up heat

19. Who is known as the ‘Naked Chef’? – Jamie Oliver

20. Which chef is famous for shouting ‘Bam!’ on their cooking show? – Emeril Lagasse

21. Who is considered the first celebrity chef in history? – Marie-Antoine Carême

22. What famous cooking figure wrote the book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’? – Julia Child

23. Which British chef is known for his restaurant Hell’s Kitchen? – Gordon Ramsay

24. Who hosts the TV show “Barefoot Contessa”? – Ina Garten

25. Which chef is famous for popularizing California cuisine? – Alice Waters

26. Who is the host of the TV show “Good Eats”? – Alton Brown

27. Which Italian-American chef is known for her catchphrase “EVOO”? – Rachael Ray

28. Who is the creator of the Momofuku restaurant group? – David Chang

29. Which chef wrote “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”? – Anthony Bourdain

30. Who is the host of “The Great British Bake Off”? – Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas (as of 2024)

31. Which chef is known for molecular gastronomy and his restaurant elBulli? – Ferran Adrià

32. Who is the first woman to be awarded three Michelin stars in the UK? – Clare Smyth

33. Which chef hosts the TV show “Chopped”? – Ted Allen

34. Who is credited with inventing the Cobb salad? – Bob Cobb

35. Which chef is known for his “Nobu” restaurants? – Nobu Matsuhisa

36. Who is the host of the TV show “MasterChef”? – Gordon Ramsay (in the US version)

37. What is the staple food in most Asian countries? – Rice

38. Which country is known for sushi and sashimi? – Japan

39. What country is the origin of the croissant? – Austria (not France as commonly believed)

40. Which Italian dish means ‘cooked cream’ in English? – Panna cotta

41. What dish is traditionally served at Thanksgiving in the United States? – Roast turkey

42. Which city is famous for its deep-dish pizza? – Chicago

43. What is the national dish of Spain? – Paella

44. Which country is known for inventing fish and chips? – United Kingdom

45. What is the main ingredient in traditional Greek moussaka? – Eggplant

46. Which Southeast Asian country is famous for its pho soup? – Vietnam

47. What is the traditional Mexican sauce made from chocolate and chili peppers? – Mole

48. Which country is credited with inventing pizza? – Italy

49. What is the national dish of Hungary? – Goulash

50. Which Middle Eastern country is known for falafel? – Egypt (though it’s popular throughout the Middle East)

51. What is the main ingredient in Russian borscht? – Beetroot

52. Which South American country is famous for ceviche? – Peru

53. What is the traditional bread of India? – Naan

54. Which country is known for its fondue? – Switzerland

55. What is the primary ingredient in guacamole? – Avocado

56. Which vegetable is known as aubergine in Europe? – Eggplant

57. Which spice is known as the ‘queen of spices’? – Cardamom

58. What spice is made from dried and ground chili peppers? – Cayenne pepper

59. What is the main ingredient in hummus? – Chickpeas

60. Which herb is also known as coriander? – Cilantro

61. What is the main ingredient in traditional pesto sauce? – Basil

62. Which spice comes from the dried stigmas of a crocus flower? – Saffron

63. What is the primary ingredient in tofu? – Soybeans

64. Which nut is used to make marzipan? – Almonds

65. What is the main ingredient in wasabi? – Japanese horseradish

66. Which spice is known as ‘star anise’? – Illicium verum

67. What is the primary ingredient in falafel? – Chickpeas or fava beans

68. Which fruit is known as the ‘king of fruits’ in Southeast Asia? – Durian

69. What is the main ingredient in tahini? – Sesame seeds

70. Which spice is made from the ground inner bark of certain trees? – Cinnamon

71. What is the primary ingredient in miso paste? – Fermented soybeans

72. Which herb is also known as ‘sweet basil’? – Genovese basil

73. What does it mean to ‘proof’ dough? – To let it rise

74. What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder? – Baking powder contains cream of tartar and cornstarch, while baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate

75. What dessert is made with layers of filo pastry, nuts, and honey? – Baklava

76. Which cookie is known for having a hidden message inside? – Fortune cookie

77. What is the purpose of kneading dough? – To develop gluten

78. What is the main ingredient in meringue? – Egg whites

79. What causes bread to rise? – Yeast

80. What is the purpose of blind baking a pie crust? – To prevent a soggy bottom

81. What is the difference between puff pastry and phyllo dough? – Puff pastry has butter folded in, phyllo is made of very thin layers

82. What is the purpose of adding salt to sweet baked goods? – To enhance flavor and balance sweetness

83. What is the main ingredient in a traditional French macaron? – Almond flour

84. What is the purpose of creaming butter and sugar in baking? – To incorporate air and create a light texture

85. What is the difference between a tart and a pie? – A tart has straight sides and only a bottom crust

86. What is the purpose of egg wash on pastries? – To create a golden, shiny finish

87. What is the main leavening agent in angel food cake? – Whipped egg whites

88. What is the purpose of chilling cookie dough before baking? – To prevent spreading and enhance flavor

89. What is the main ingredient in a traditional French madeleine? – Butter

90. What is the purpose of adding vinegar to pie crust? – To tenderize the dough

    

91. What does ‘al dente’ mean? – Cooked to be firm to the bite

92. What is a roux and what is it used for? – A mixture of fat and flour used to thicken sauces

93. What is ‘sous vide’ cooking? – Cooking food in vacuum-sealed bags in temperature-controlled water

94. What does ‘deglaze’ mean in cooking? – To add liquid to a hot pan to loosen browned bits

95. What is the culinary term for ‘mouth feel’? – Texture

96. What does it mean to ‘blanch’ vegetables? – To briefly boil then plunge into ice water

97. What is ‘mise en place’? – Preparing and organizing ingredients before cooking

98. What does ‘braise’ mean? – To cook slowly in a small amount of liquid

99. What is ‘confit’? – A method of preserving food by cooking it in fat

100. What does ‘reduce’ mean in cooking? – To boil a liquid to decrease volume and concentrate flavor

101. What is ‘tempering’ in cooking? – Gradually bringing two ingredients to the same temperature

102. What does ‘macerate’ mean? – To soften food by soaking in liquid

103. What is ’emulsification’? – The process of mixing two unmixable liquids

104. What does ‘render’ mean in cooking? – To melt fat from meat or vegetables

105. What is ‘chiffonade’? – A slicing technique that produces thin ribbons

106. What does ‘broil’ mean? – To cook food directly under high heat

107. What is ‘clarified butter’? – Butter with milk solids and water removed

108. What does ‘fold’ mean in baking? – To gently combine ingredients without losing air

109. What is the most expensive spice by weight? – Saffron

110. Which fruit has seeds on the outside? – Strawberry

111. Where did the Caesar salad originate? – Mexico

112. Which country is the origin of cheddar cheese? – England

113. What fruit was once called a ‘love apple’? – Tomato

114. Which nut is actually a seed? – Cashew

115. What vegetable is also known as a ‘sunchoke’? – Jerusalem artichoke

116. Which fruit is known as the ‘alligator pear’? – Avocado

117. What is the only food that never spoils? – Honey

118. Which fruit is botanically a berry? – Banana

119. What is the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside? – Strawberry

120. Which vegetable is actually a flower? – Broccoli

121. What is the most consumed manufactured drink in the world? – Tea

122. Which fruit is actually a type of berry? – Watermelon

123. What is the only edible food that never goes bad? – Honey

124. Which nut is actually a legume? – Peanut

125. What is the only vegetable that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh? – Lettuce

126. Which fruit is named after a New Zealand bird? – Kiwi

127. In which movie does a rat become a gourmet chef in Paris? – Ratatouille

128. What is the favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? – Pizza

129. What is the name of the pie that appears in the book ‘The Help’? – Chocolate pie

130. Which food critic is the antagonist in the movie ‘Ratatouille’? – Anton Ego

131. What food does Garfield the cat love? – Lasagna

132. In which movie does a character say, “I’ll have what she’s having” in a deli? – When Harry Met Sally

133. What’s the name of the restaurant in SpongeBob SquarePants? – The Krusty Krab

134. What food does Wallace (of Wallace and Gromit) love? – Cheese

135. In which TV show do characters often meet at Central Perk? – Friends

136. What’s the name of the cook on The Simpsons? – Lunch Lady Doris

137. What food does the Cookie Monster love? – Cookies

138. In which movie does a character eat 50 hard-boiled eggs? – Cool Hand Luke

139. What’s the name of the chef in The Little Mermaid? – Chef Louis

140. What food does Popeye eat to gain strength? – Spinach

141. In which movie does a food critic fall in love with a chef? – No Reservations

142. What’s the name of the restaurant in Bob’s Burgers? – Bob’s Burgers

143. What food does Scooby-Doo love? – Scooby Snacks

144. In which movie does a character say, “Life is like a box of chocolates”? – Forrest Gump

145. How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon? – 3 teaspoons

146. What is the equivalent of 1 cup in milliliters? – 237 ml

147. Convert 350 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius. – 175 degrees Celsius

148. How many grams are in an ounce? – 28.35 grams

149. How many tablespoons are in a cup? – 16 tablespoons

150. What is the equivalent of 1 pint in cups? – 2 cups

151. How many milliliters are in a liter? – 1000 ml

152. What is the equivalent of 1 pound in kilograms? – 0.45 kg

153. How many cups are in a gallon? – 16 cups

154. What is the equivalent of 1 quart in liters? – 0.95 liters

155. How many ounces are in a pound? – 16 ounces

156. What is the equivalent of 1 stick of butter in tablespoons? – 8 tablespoons

157. How many cups are in a quart? – 4 cups

158. What is the equivalent of 1 fluid ounce in milliliters? – 29.57 ml

159. How many tablespoons are in a fluid ounce? – 2 tablespoons

160. What is the equivalent of 1 kilogram in pounds? – 2.2 pounds

161. How many milliliters are in a cup? – 240 ml

162. What is the equivalent of 1 tablespoon in milliliters? – 15 ml

163. What is a traditional dish served at Christmas in the UK? – Roast turkey with stuffing

164. Which dessert is associated with Thanksgiving? – Pumpkin pie

165. What is a popular fall ingredient in many desserts? – Pumpkin

166. Name a spring vegetable often used in salads. – Asparagus

167. What is a traditional food eaten during Hanukkah? – Latkes (potato pancakes)

168. Which fruit is associated with summer picnics? – Watermelon

169. What is a popular ingredient in winter soups? – Root vegetables (like carrots, parsnips, turnips)

170. Which food is traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday? – Pancakes

171. What is a common ingredient in autumn pies? – Apples

172. Which vegetable is often carved for Halloween? – Pumpkin

173. What is a traditional Easter treat? – Hot cross buns

174. Which berry is popular in summer desserts? – Strawberry

175. What is a common ingredient in winter holiday cookies? – Gingerbread spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg)

176. Which vegetable is associated with St. Patrick’s Day? – Cabbage

177. What is a popular summer grilling food? – Hamburgers

178. Which nut is often used in fall baking? – Pecans

179. What is a traditional New Year’s Eve food in Spain? – Twelve grapes (eaten at midnight)

180. Which fruit is often used in spring tarts? – Rhubarb

Conclusion

Now you’ve got an ultimate collection of cooking trivia to spice up your next party! These 177+ questions cover everything from basic cooking know-how to fun food facts.

They’re perfect for testing your friends’ culinary knowledge or just starting lively chats about food. Remember, the goal is to have fun and maybe learn something new along the way.

Why not pick your favorites and try them out at your next gathering? You might be surprised at how much you and your guests know (or don’t know) about cooking.

And if you get stumped, don’t worry – looking up the answers together can be just as fun.

So go ahead, use these questions to add some flavor to your next party.

Happy Hosting!