ビッグマック生みの親、98歳で亡くなる 週1回はマックを食べていた?

ビッグマックの逸話とともに振り返ろう。
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Twitter / McDonalds

ファストフード大手マクドナルドの看板メニュー「ビッグマック(Big Mac)」を考案したマイケル・デリガッティ氏(Michael "Jim" Delligatti)が11月28日に死去した。98歳だった。CNNなどが報じた。

■ビッグマックが誕生するまで

デリガッティ氏がビッグマックを考案したのは、今からおよそ50年前のことだった。

1965年、ペンシルベニア州ユニオンタウンにあるマクドナルドのチェーン店を経営していたデリガッティ氏は、ハンバーガーやフライドポテトなどのジャンクフードはもっと大きく、派手であるべきと考えていた

そこでビッグマックの開発に着手し、3枚のバンズでビーフパティ、レタス、チーズ、ピクルス、オニオンを挟んだ大胆なメニューを考案。1967年、自らが営むユニオンタウンの店舗で初めてビッグマックを販売し、翌年には全米のマクドナルドで提供された。

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ビッグマックの広告

■世界初の2段重ねのハンバーガー?

ビッグマックといえば、構造が2段重ねになっていることが特徴的だが、ロサンゼルス・タイムズによると、このアイデアを考案したのはデリガッティ氏ではないという。

当時、すでに別のライバル店が2段重ねのハンバーガーを発案していた。「私がやったことは、ただアイデアを完成させただけだ」とロサンゼルス・タイムズのインタビューに答えていた

だが、彼が生み出したビッグマックはマクドナルドに欠かせない存在になり、半世紀に渡って多くの人に愛されてきた。現在ビッグマックは100カ国以上で販売されており、年間の販売数はアメリカ国内で5億5000万個、全世界で9億個を超える。

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■週1回はビッグマック?

ビッグマックの生みの親は、現役を退いてからもマクドナルドを愛していたようだ。CBSはデリガッティ氏の息子の話として、「デリガッティ氏は最低でも週1回はビッグマックを食べる生活を数十年に渡って続けていた」と伝えた。

「父は生前、なんで"ビッグマック"という商品名にしたのかって聞かれてたけど、ビッグマックっていう響きがおもしろいからだって答えてたよ」と息子は振り返った。

Michael "Jim" Delligatti, Big Mac creator, dead at 98 - CBS Newsより 2016/11/30 11:49)

また、デリガッティ氏の家族はまさしく「マクドナルド一家」で、彼のふたりの息子だけではなく、3世代目の孫にわたってマクドナルドのフランチャイズ店を経営している。ペンシルベニア州にあるマクドナルドのうち、21もの店舗をデリガッティ一家が所有するか、経営に関わっているという。

■マクドナルドは追悼コメントをツイート

マクドナルドは、デリガッティ氏の死亡が公表された12月1日、追悼コメントを自社の公式Twitterアカウントに投稿した。

今日は、ビッグマックの考案者マイケル・デリガッティ(Michael "Jim" Delligatti)が歩んだ98年間を祝福したいと思います。ありがとうジム、あなたを永遠に忘れません。

アメリカの食文化を象徴する商品と言っても過言ではないビッグマック。もし街中でマクドナルドを見かけたら、ビッグマックを生んだ偉大な人物に思いを馳せてみよう。

■関連画像集「世界のマクドナルド メニュー」

McDonald's Sandwiches From Around The World
McFalafel - Egypt(01 of20)
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McDonald\'s Egypt offers a falafel sandwich that rivals a Big Mac any day. The falafel patties are shaped to look like burgers and drenched in the ever-present secret sauce that seems to pop up everywhere, from Europe to NYC halal carts. After inquiring, I found out the sauce was a not-so-mysterious but delicious tahini-garlic dressing. With the secret reveled, why not whip up some quick, homemade falafel and proceed to drench in sauce?\r\n
Big Bulgogi Burger -- South Korea(02 of20)
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Bulgogi, literally fire meat in Korean, is a traditional marinated barbecue beef that is simply put, absolute mouth-watering deliciousness. McDonald\'s put their spin on the Korean favorite by sandwiching two pork patties in a hamburger bun, slathering it with bulgogi sauce, and calling it a day. I\'ll take two.
Le Croque McDo -- France & Belgium(03 of20)
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McDonald\'s version of the classic croque monsieur, the Croque McDo is a favorite amongst francophiles. Two slices of Emmental cheese and a slice of ham are squashed between toast and pressed in a sandwich maker, creating a gooey, fondue-like ham and cheese. Why not make it a meal with a beer? Yep, that\'s right, McDonald\'s in France offers beer. Even McDonald\'s in France is better. Damn.
McShawarma And McKebab(04 of20)
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These Middle Eastern favorites are fixtures all over the globe. McDonald\'s in Israel features barbecued beef on a lafa and pita. Both are served with a small Middle Eastern-style salad. Check out this hilarious McShawarma advertisement inspired by Pulp Fiction.
Veggie McCurry Pan -- India(05 of20)
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Fun Fact: India is the only country in the world where McDonald\'s does not serve beef. That means no Big Mac, and no Quarter Pounder. A moment of silence, if you please. Instead, vegetarian favorites like the McCurry Pan, a rectangular-shaped crust topped with curry, broccoli, baby corn, mushrooms and bell peppers and baked till crisp are common fare. Other favorites include the Chicken Maharaja Mac, Big Spicy Paneer Wrap (which should be the only kind of paneer wrap) and McAloo Tikki. We\'re all about the carb-on-carb sandwiches.
McTurco & Kofteburger -- Turkey(06 of20)
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Recently we\'ve waxed poetic on the virtues of the underexposed Turkish cuisine, and told you about our love affair with Turkey\'s Wet Burger. Although McDonalds\' McTurco and Kofteburger (meatball) don\'t come close to our beloved Islak burger, we\'ll choose them over a Big Mac any day. Besides, it\'s been many moons since any of us were able to make a kofte without stuffing it with mozzarella.
McSatay -- Indonesia(07 of20)
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Satay Friday is a sacred holiday here at Food Republic Headquarters. If only we could head down to the McDonalds below our office and pick up a McSatay. We\'re considering moving operations to Jakarta or maybe Bali for the sake of the food. (credit:Flickr: nSeika)
McPork -- Japan(08 of20)
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It\'s unfortunate that McDonald\'s Japan doesn\'t make one of our favorite Japanese treats, the carb-bomb yakisoba sandwich. I guess we\'ll have to settle for the creatively-named McPork -- a basic hamburger with a pork instead of beef patty -- and then maybe some green tea and a red bean ice cream sundae, which is not such a bad thing.
Samurai Pork Burger -- Thailand(09 of20)
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Cousin to the Japanese McPork, the Samurai is Thailand\'s answer to population that leans swine-wise and favors pork to beef any day. Maybe I was Thai in a previous life seeing as though my dedication to all things pork goes as far as wearing a small gold pig around my neck. (credit:Flickr: laughlin)
McKroket -- The Netherlands(10 of20)
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McDonalds goes Dutch in the Netherlands with the McKroket, a deep fried roll stuffed with chili. Think deep-fried sloppy joe. Perfect if you happen to find yourself with an increased appetite in Amsterdam. (credit:Flickr: scalleja)
The Nürnburger -- Germany(11 of20)
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Our assistant editor, Jess, just got back from reporting for Lufthansa in Nuremburg, Germany where the specialty on a roll is Drei im Weggla, a trio of small, spiced sausages. McDonald\'s take also includes a sausage trio with a smear of mustard.\r\n
McLobster -- Canada(12 of20)
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The idea of McDonald\'s serving shellfish makes us a little quesy, but why not give the Canadians a shot with the McLobster -- eh? It may not be up to the standards of lobster purists, but it should tide you over until summer in the Hamptons. Snob. (credit:Flickr: Brian U)
McOz -- Australia(13 of20)
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Traditional Australian hamburgers usually include cheese, beetroot, pineapple, a fried egg (usually with a runny yolk) and bacon. McDonald\'s down under created a fusion between the classic Americano and the Aussie with their McOz by including beetroot in an otherwise classic Big Mac.
Kiwi Burger -- New Zealand(14 of20)
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In New Zealand the McOz is taken up a notch by throwing in a fried egg. Voila: the Kiwiburger. (credit:Flickr: BierDoctor)
Mince Pie -- UK(15 of20)
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During the holiday season, McDonald\'s all over the UK offer the traditional British favorite. The savory pies are made with fruit-based mincemeat and classic holiday flavors: cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
The Flaming Hot Doritos Quarter Pounder -- Mexico(16 of20)
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In 2010, McDonald\'s Mexico added the Flaming Hot Doritos Quarter Pounder, basically a quarter pounder souped up with layer of Flaming Hot Doritos and a healthy smear of guacamole. Taco Bell followed suit, and has recently come up with Doritos Tacos Locos. Not a fan? We don\'t blame you, why not opt for some spicy homemade guac on your burger instead? (credit:Flickr: Merelymel13)
The Greek Mac -- Greece(17 of20)
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The Greek Mac swaps out the original Big Mac\'s secret sauce and famed sesame seed bun for a pita and yogurt. We can\'t wait till McDolmas start popping up in Athens locations. I wonder what Yiayia would have to say about that.
McCriollo -- Colombia(18 of20)
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McCriollo is Latin America\'s answer to the Egg McMuffin. Almost exactly the same, the only difference is a beefed-up bun in place of the classic English muffin. We\'ve heard that the homemade varietymake women fall macly in love.
McEmpanada Con Queso -- Chile(19 of20)
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In Chile, fries can be subbed with empanadas. The Chileans are onto something, and the Colombians seem to agree. (credit:Flickr: morrissey)
McSpam -- Hawaii(20 of20)
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Spam is often referred to as the \"Hawaiian Steak.\" Not by us, though. McDonald\'s in Hawaii offers a Spam breakfast in an attempt to offer authentic Hawaiian fare. Try all they want, nothing beats a great loco moco. (credit:Flickr: balise42)

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