National Dadgum That's Good Day (March 1st)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every March 1st
Tagged as:	Food & Drink
What's the hashtag?	#NationalDadgumThatsGoodDay
When was it founded?	2015
Who founded it?	John McLemore and Dawson McLemore
We first published this page on:	Dec 13th, 2023
We last updated this page:	Feb 1st, 2026

Contents

National Dadgum That’s Good Day is a unique celebration every year. It is a day that honors the simple but still profound joy of good food and great company.

This day of celebration comes from a unique exclamation of satisfaction one utters when someone tastes something genuinely delightful.

This day celebrates the moments that bring us together, the stories we share around the table, and the laughter that twinkles throughout our homes.

National Dadgum That’s Good Day Timeline

Mid‑1800s

Family Dinner as Moral Institution

In the United States, advice writers and domestic reformers begin promoting a shared family dinner table as a daily ritual that teaches manners, faith, and family cohesion, turning mealtime into a key social institution.

1860s–1880s

Rise of Church and Community Cookbooks

Women’s church groups and civic organizations compile “community” or “charity” cookbooks, collecting home recipes to raise funds and preserve local traditions, helping cement the idea of shared dishes and stories as a form of community building.

1920s

Charcoal Briquettes and Outdoor Cooking

Henry Ford and E. G. Kingsford popularize commercial charcoal briquettes in the 1920s, making outdoor grilling more convenient and helping lay the groundwork for modern backyard cookouts built around casual, social meals.

Post‑World War II, 1940s–1950s

Backyard Cookout Becomes a Pastime

With suburban growth after World War II, Americans embrace the backyard cookout as a symbol of family life and leisure, turning grilling into a social event centered on neighbors, friends, and food cooked outdoors.

1951–1952

Modern Kettle Grill Spurs Home Grilling

Metalworker George Stephen designs the rounded Weber kettle grill in the early 1950s, helping ordinary home cooks control heat more easily and making “Dadgum that’s good”‑style charcoal grilling and smoking accessible in countless backyards.

Early 1950s–1960s

Gas Grills Bring Convenience to Family Meals

Innovators such as Don McGlaughlin develop early gas grills in the 1950s, followed by natural gas and propane models, allowing faster, more predictable outdoor cooking and encouraging frequent family cookouts and neighborhood gatherings.

Late 20th Century

Community Potlucks and Covered‑Dish Suppers Spread

Across American churches, schools, and civic groups, potluck and covered‑dish suppers become a staple of social life, where each household brings a favorite recipe and stories are exchanged alongside shared plates.

How to Celebrate National Dadgum That’s Good Day

Celebrating National Dadgum, That’s Good Day is all about embracing the joy of cooking and the warmth of family. Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of this delicious day:

Master the McLemore Recipe

What better way to celebrate than trying a recipe from John McLemore’s best-selling cookbook series? Whether it’s a smoky barbecue or a savory fry-up, pick a recipe and make it your own.

Don’t forget to heartily exclaim, “Dadgum, that’s good!” with every successful taste test. Remember — you don’t need to use your indoor voice; you can shout it.

Host a Family Cook-Off

Gather your family and host a National Dadgum That’s Good Day cooking competition. Each member can prepare a dish, and everyone gets to vote on the “Dadgum Best Dish.” The key ingredient?

A dash of fun and a sprinkle of laughter. Be sure to have a funny prize on hand to award the winner.

Storytelling Feast

As you enjoy your meal, share stories from the past. Let every family member tell all about their favorite family recipe or a funny kitchen mishap.

National Dadgum That’s Good Day is all about building bonds and the joy of being together.

Cooking Class Day

If you’re feeling adventurous, enroll in a cooking class with your family or friends. Learn a new cuisine or cooking technique, and bring that knowledge back to your kitchen.

Share your celebration on social media with the hashtag #NationalDadgumThatsGoodDay. Post pictures of your culinary creations, your family feast, or even a video of that moment when everyone says, “Dadgum, that’s good!”

Host a Potluck with a Twist

Invite friends and family over for a National Dadgum That’s Good Day potluck. Each should bring a dish that has a remarkable story or memory attached to it.

As you enjoy the friendly feast, each person can share the tale behind their dish, turning the gathering into a tapestry of culinary stories and delicious flavors. For a funny twist, you can tell each person to have a tall tale ready to tell — the more outrageous, the better.

Recreate a Family Heirloom Recipe

Dive into your family’s recipe book or call a relative to ask for that legendary recipe everyone talks about. Spend the day recreating this dish, honoring your family’s culinary heritage.

It’s a great way to connect with your roots and pass on a piece of family history.

Organize a Neighborhood Food Exchange

Coordinate with your neighbors to have a food exchange. Each household prepares a signature dish and exchanges it with others in the neighborhood. This activity spreads the joy of good food and strengthens community bonds.

Dadgum Good Dessert Challenge

Focus on the sweeter things in life by hosting a dessert-making challenge. Participants can create their most extravagant or beloved desserts. The goal is to hear the “Dadgum, that’s good!” exclamation when everyone tastes each other’s creations.

Culinary Scavenger Hunt

Hold a National Dadgum That’s Good Day scavenger hunt. The participants will search for ingredients or dishes from local eateries or markets that fit specific fun and quirky criteria (e.g., an ingredient you’ve never used before, a dish that starts with the letter ‘D’). End the day by preparing a meal or sharing the collected dishes, celebrating the joy of discovery and good food.

History of National Dadgum That’s Good Day

The roots of National Dadgum That’s Good Day stretch back to 2015. But its spirit is much older, woven into one inspiring family’s culinary traditions.

The brainchild of John McLemore and his father, Dawson McLemore, this day was born out of a love for cooking and family.

The McLemores, from Columbus, Georgia, were not just any family. They are the heart and soul behind Masterbuilt Manufacturing. This company manufactures high-quality cooking equipment, has graced countless homes, and has given families the means to create delicious meals.

The McLemore family’s journey in the culinary world began in 1973, marking the inception of Masterbuilt. Their passion for cooking was not just about the food but the stories, the bonding, and the traditions passed down through generations.

National Dadgum That’s Good Day reflects these ethics. It is a day to remind us of the importance of gathering around the table, sharing a meal, and creating memories.

Facts About National Dadgum That’s Good Day

Shared Meals Are Linked With Higher Life Satisfaction

Large cross-national studies summarized in the 2025 World Happiness Report find that people who share meals with others more frequently report higher life satisfaction and more positive emotions, and less negative affect, even after accounting for factors like income, age, and employment.

Researchers note that the simple act of eating with others appears to be a powerful and consistent predictor of overall well-being across many cultures.

Family Dinners Can Improve Kids’ Nutrition and Academics

A review of studies on family meals found that children and adolescents who regularly eat with their families tend to have better overall diets, eat more fruits and vegetables, consume less fast food and sugary drinks, and are less likely to develop disordered eating.

The same body of research links frequent family meals with lower obesity risk and even higher academic achievement in teens.

Eating Together May Help Protect Mental Health

Public health researchers reviewing evidence on commensal eating report that regularly sharing meals with others is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety and reduced feelings of loneliness, especially among older adults.

One large study in China involving thousands of older people found that those who often ate with others were significantly less likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who usually ate alone.

Feasting Has Helped Build Communities for at Least 12,000 Years

Archaeologists studying a 12,000-year-old burial cave at Hilazon Tachtit in present-day Israel uncovered remains of a large, elaborate feast that included wild cattle, gazelle, tortoises, and special plants.

They argue that such early feasts played a key role in helping newly sedentary communities bond, negotiate status, and manage social tensions as people shifted from mobile foraging to village life.

Anthropologists See Feasts as “Extra-Ordinary” Meals With Big Social Impact

In modern anthropology, a feast is not just a big dinner but a special kind of meal that uses unusually abundant or distinctive foods and brings together a wider circle of people than everyday eating.

Scholarly reviews show that feasts have been used across cultures to cement alliances, display generosity or wealth, mark life transitions, and reinforce group identity, making them central to social and political life rather than mere indulgence.

Flavor Delight Starts With Just Five Basic Tastes

The intense “wow, that’s good” reaction people have to certain dishes begins with surprisingly simple building blocks: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Food scientists have shown that umami, triggered by glutamate and related compounds in foods like slow-cooked meats, tomatoes, and aged cheeses, can enhance overall flavor perception and make dishes taste richer and more satisfying, which helps explain why some meals feel especially craveable.

Aromas Do Most of the Work When Food Tastes Amazing

Although people talk about “taste,” research shows that much of what is perceived as flavor actually comes from smell.

Volatile aroma compounds travel from the mouth to the nose during chewing and swallowing, activating hundreds of olfactory receptors that create complex flavor impressions.

Studies in sensory science find that when the sense of smell is blocked, many favorite foods suddenly seem bland, which is why a cold or blocked nose can make even beloved recipes seem disappointing.

National Dadgum That’s Good Day FAQs

How do shared family meals affect children’s well‑being over time?

Research has found that children and teens who regularly eat meals with their families tend to have better emotional health, stronger parent–child communication, and lower rates of risky behaviors such as substance use.

Studies also associate frequent family meals with healthier eating patterns, including higher intake of fruits and vegetables and lower consumption of sugary drinks and fast food, even after accounting for factors like socioeconomic status.

Is there evidence that cooking and eating with others strengthens relationships?

Studies in social psychology and public health suggest that preparing and sharing food together can build social cohesion, trust, and a sense of belonging.

Collaborative cooking encourages cooperation, conversation, and mutual support, while shared meals provide structured time for people to check in with one another, resolve minor conflicts, and reinforce group identity, whether in families, workplaces, or communities.

Why do so many cultures use the dinner table as a place for storytelling?

Anthropologists and historians point out that mealtime storytelling serves several functions at once: it entertains, teaches social norms, preserves family and community history, and helps younger generations understand where they come from.

Because people are already gathered and focused on a shared activity, the dinner table becomes a natural setting for passing on memories, values, and practical knowledge through stories.

How do family recipes contribute to cultural and personal identity?

Family recipes often act as tangible links to ancestors, migration histories, and regional traditions.

Food scholars note that preparing and serving inherited dishes can reinforce a sense of “who we are,” especially for families living far from their place of origin.

The smells, flavors, and techniques associated with specific recipes become part of a family’s shared identity and can be especially important for diasporic or multicultural households.

Do home‑cooked meals actually differ nutritionally from restaurant or take‑out food?

On average, nutrition research shows that home‑prepared meals tend to be lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, and higher in dietary fiber compared with meals eaten away from home.

People who frequently cook at home also tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

However, the nutritional quality still depends on ingredients and cooking methods, so deep‑fried or heavily processed home dishes may not offer the same benefits.

Can shared meals help reduce stress for adults?

Several studies link regular shared meals with lower perceived stress and better overall life satisfaction for adults. Eating with others can provide social support, predictable routines, and a break from work or digital distractions.

Even short, consistent mealtime rituals, such as a nightly family dinner or a weekly gathering with friends, are associated with improved mood and a stronger sense of connection.

How do communal meals differ across cultures, and what do they have in common?

Around the world, cultures vary in what is served, who eats first, and how formally the meal is structured, but researchers in food studies note recurring themes: special dishes reserved for guests, rituals of sharing or dividing food, and expectations of hospitality.

Whether it is a Southern U.S. barbecue, a Middle Eastern mezze spread, or an East Asian family hot pot, communal meals usually function as social glue, marking important events and reaffirming bonds between participants.