The origin of the chips is not very clear: many attribute them to George Speck Crum, while others to their sister Catherine Wicks. But they were certainly born in Saratoga Springs
The french fries they are a snack loved by everyone, but who do we owe their invention to? The credit would seem to go to George Speck Cruman African American and Native American chef. Born in 1824, Crum worked as a chef at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, a renowned establishment frequented by New York high society.
The most common story is that, frustrated by a demanding customer who he found the french fries too thickCrum would have cut the potatoes very thinfried the slices and sprinkled with salt. This gesture, initially conceived as a spite, seems to have satisfied the customer to the point of making these “Saratoga Chips” a house specialty. Since then, thin French fries have achieved enormous success.
The origins of potato chips, however, are a matter of debate. Several sources suggest that Crum’s sisterCatherine Wicks (also known as Kate), played a crucial role. Some stories say that while working at Moon’s Lake House, Kate accidentally dropped it a slice of potato in hot oil and, noticing the crunchy result, let Crum taste it. Her sister’s version was published in local newspapers and included in her obituary, lending support to the idea that she was the real inventor.
His place offered customers a basket of chips as an appetizer
Despite the success of these “Saratoga Chips,” Crum and the chips did not appear on his restaurant menu. This detail, combined with the fact that recipes for thinly fried potatoes already existed before 1853, has led some historians to believe that chips .
Additionally, an organization of snack manufacturers later helped spread the legend of Crum’s crisps promotional purposesincluding unverified details such as the identity of the disgruntled customer, sometimes referred to as celebrity tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt.
In the 60s of the 19th century, Crum opened a restaurant in Malta, New York, which became popular among personalities of the time. His place offered customers a basket of chips as a starterhelping to consolidate the iconic status of this snack.
Although today it is difficult to establish with certainty who actually invented potato chips, Saratoga Springs remains the recognized place of their originand George Crum’s legacy, along with that of his sister Kate, remains etched in culinary history.
