Observed on March 15, this food holiday honors a French dessert of warm poached pears, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce.

First prepared in 1864 by Chef Georges Auguste Escoffier in the honor of the opera "La belle Hélène," the dish was originally decorated with crystallized violets.

The opera by Jacques Offenbach is a comedic take on the story of Helen of Troy and her elopement with Prince Paris of Troy, which sparked the Trojan War.

Pears Helene Day is observed primarily in the USA.