![]() ![]() Frustrated with the continued request to revise the dish, Crum reportedly sliced potatoes into thin slivers, fried them to a crisp, and salted them generously in hopes of sending a less than subtle message about the propriety of continuing to request modifications to a well-established menu item. On this particular day, the diner thought Crum's french fries were too thick and soggy and repeatedly sent them back to the kitchen. At that time, french fries were intentionally cut thick and cooked in a manner that made them more soggy than crisp. This dish was already known in the United States, and once again, local lore ties that to another famous American, former President Thomas Jefferson. Whether the actual customer Crum created potato chips for was Vanderbilt, the story remains that a customer of great wealth and fame ordered French fries from Crum. According to local lore, one of the resort's wealthy patrons was Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, and stories that cannot be verified but have been passed down over the years indicate that Vanderbilt took a liking to Crum as well as his cooking and would often make special meal requests. The resort catered primarily to wealthy New Yorkers who vacationed in the area as well as those who were in the area to build second homes. When Crum was 29, he was hired at Cary Moon's Lake House, a resort along Saratoga Lake near Saratoga Springs. ![]() As a young man, Crum worked as a guide in the Adirondack Mountains, and eventually realized that he had a natural ability as a cook. His father raced under the name "Crum," which George Speck would later adopt as his last name. ![]() Speck's father was African American and a jockey who raced in local derbies. George Crum was born George Speck in 1824 in Saratoga Lake, New York. The historical marker references 1882 as the opening date, but later records indicated that Crum's restaurant was established much earlier and the year 1882 was significant as it corresponded with the completion of a new road that shortened the distance for many of his patrons who could enjoy a variety of dishes and every table was provided with a basket of potato chips, which were then served as a side dish. Crum developed the recipe for potato chips almost by accident, but when his "potato crunches" as he originally called them proved to be unexpectedly popular, he used the local fame to open his own restaurant here in 1860 and operated it until 1890. Not far from this location in the mid-1850s, African American chef George Crum perfected the culinary creation at Moon's Lake House, a small resort in Saratoga Springs. He eventually created his own restaurant in the 1860s, and served every table with a basket of chips.Identified now by a historic marker, this site on Malta Street was home to Crum's Place, a small restaurant that holds a significant place in American food history as its owner is often credited as the inventor of potato chips. Regardless, people came to the Moon Lake House from far and wide to taste Crum’s potatoes. Others say that it was actually Crum’s sister, Kate Wicks, who created the recipe. Some say that there were already cookbook recipes for potato chips in the early 1800s. Unfortunately, there is evidence to dispute this tall tale. A disgruntled Crum cut a potato paper thin, fried it, and served it to the customer, creating the first potato chip. The legend of the potato chip started from rumours that a regular customer kept asking for thinner and thinner french fries. Instead, Vanderbuilt would ask for “Crum” when referring to Speck. The customer in question was named Commodore Cornelius Vanderbuilt, and frequently forgot Speck’s real last name. The nickname “Crum” came about from a regular customer at the Moon’s Lake House. ![]() This is where he would create his invention. At the age of 25, started working at Moon’s Lake House, a high-end restaurant that served rich Manhattanites. George Crum, (born George Speck), invented the potato chip. ![]()
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