In 1893, Jennie Benedict built a one-room kitchen in the family backyard from a borrowed $381. Her confectioneries, such as candied roses, loops of spun sugar ribbons, cakes and party sandwiches had her business growing quickly. She pulled as much as 300 pounds of candy at one time by throwing it over a huge iron hook on the wall.

Second only to the sandwich that helped make her famous, a cucumber spread with green food coloring, was her election to the Louisville Board of Trade. She was the first woman to hold a Board of Trade membership in the South.

In 1900, Benedict moved her business to a fancy downtown Louisville location. With partner and business manager Salome Kerr, she served delighted guests at their new soda fountain, a popular spot frequented by young people. Known affectionately as "Miss Jennie", Benedict was born near Harrod's Creek a few miles outside of Louisville, Kentucky. She attended the local public school and then furthered her education at the Boston Cooking School studying under the famous chef Fannie Farmer.

Talented outside the kitchen as well, she authored a cook book titled The Blue Ribbon Cook Book, (published in 1902) her autobiography, The Road to Dream Acre (published in 1928) and she edited the Household section of the Louisville Courier-Journal. As if not busy enough, Benedict was an active community volunteer. Her generous public efforts included donating her free time to help residents of the King's Daughters' Home for Incurables .

Benedict died in 1928, and was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. But, her delicious culinary skills continue to delight our palates with her famous Benedictine Cucumber Spread. Thanks Jennie, I'll have seconds please!

 Source:

 Kleber, John E. The Kentucky Encyclopedia, Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky1992.