Do you know How? The legend of the potato chips started

A worldwide favorite snack is the potato chip, which was invented by an African American chef, named George Crum, born George Speck on 1824.

He was born in Saratoga Lake, New York. He was the son of an African American father, who was a jockey, and Native American mother, of the Huron Tribe. George’s father raced in derbies and was known by the nickname “Crum.” George later adopted his father’s nickname as his last name.

George worked as a hunter, guide and cook in the Adirondack Mountains and was noted for his culinary skills. He was hired at the Moon’s Lake House on Saratoga Lake, which was quite famous with rich tourists who came from Manhattan and nearby cities to enjoy their holidays with their families.

The legend of the potato chip is as follows:

In the summer of 1853, George Crum was the chef at the Moon’s Lake House and people came from far and near for his delicious meals. French fries were popular at the restaurant. One day a patron came in and order French-fried potatoes. He complained, “the French fries were too think and bland.” So he sent his plate back to the kitchen.

George Crum, in his attempt to please the patron, made the slices of potatoes thinner and sent that plate back to the patron. There was no satisfying this picky patron who continued to complain and sent his plate back to the kitchen.

George Crum decided once again to make the slices even thinner. He then sent the plate back to the patron. Once again, for the third time, the patron complained that the potato slices were too thick. This time, to spite the patron, George decided to make the potato slices extremely thin and then fried them until they were hard and crunchy. Then he loaded the potatoes with a generous amount of salt. He sent the plate back to the patron and to his amazement he was a most pleasing patron, who begged for more. Then George decided to taste the crisp chips and he loved them as did everyone in the Lake House and a new snack was born.

Years later, in 1860, Crum opened his own restaurant and he placed a basket of potato chips on every table. He called it “Crums House.” Crum never attempted to patent his invention. Crum’s chips were originally called Saratoga Chips and potato crunches. His potato chips were mass-produced and sold in bags – which provided thousands of jobs nationwide.

George Crum died on July 22, 1914 in Saratoga County, New York at the age of 90.

Um-m-m, when you crunch on those potato chips give thanks to the African American, George Crum for his persistence in making our delicious snack.

Compiled by Shirley Madden, member of the Manistee Area Racial Justice & Diversity Initiative.