NewYorkFirst.com: Official Banana Split Kit

National Treasure.

And one of the great guilty pleasures in life. "The Banana Split is not only American by birth," says author Michael Turback, "it reflects our genius for invention, passion for indulgence, and reputation for wackiness. It's like no other dessert in the world -- a grand idea that could only be conceived in a place as grand as America."

It all began in 1904 when David Strickler of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, set out to create a new ice cream sundae for the local Tassell Pharmacy soda fountain. He juxtaposed three scoops of different flavors of ice cream between two halves of a sliced banana, then added dollops of fruit syrups, combining three mini-sundaes into one. The rest is culinary history.

Five generations of fountaineers have devised ways to skillfully display the dessert for service to customers. Banana Splits always taste better in these snazzy, stainless-steel "boats" or graceful, footed glass dishes, accoutrements worth resurrecting. Witty, charming, and just as appropriate on your table as they were in bygone ice cream parlors.

Dissertation on Dessert.
Author Michael Turback trains a connoisseur's eye on the origins of the Banana Split and its status in the social chronicle of an entire century. In this surprising and entertaining book, the award-winning author offers fascinating facts, astounding trivia, and fabulous formulas for what he calls "the Liberace of desserts." He casts a wide net to collect over 150 versions of the heterogeneous dessert--ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. You'll get to show off your soda fountain skills and impress your friends and family with Atomic Banana Splits or Monkey in the Middle Sundaes – or you can always keep the secrets to yourself. It's up to you!

Kit and Caboodle.
The surprising and entertaining Banana Split Book has been combined with essential soda fountain supplies: 2 Anchor Hocking Classic Banana Split Dishes, 2 Long-Handle Soda Fountain Spoons, and a 4-Compartment Dispenser of Ice Cream Sprinkles. The whole kit and caboodle is offered in a retro Gift Box for every occasion. Be the envy of the neighborhood -- kids and adults alike -- with your official Banana Split Kit.

Splitsville.
Whimsical table-top conversation piece harks back to the days of Carmen Miranda, tutti-fruiti hats, and the banana madness of the 1940s. Delicious looking details on this ceramic set will have everyone at dinner saving room for dessert.