George Crum Biography

George Crum was an American chef, best known as the possible creator of potato chips. Born and raised in Saratoga County, New York, George had an African–American/Native American lineage. As a youngster who was deprived of a proper education, George began working as a guide on the Adirondack Mountains in his teenage years. During his mid-20s, he discovered that he had an inclination toward culinary arts and thus began working as a chef at ‘Moon’s Lake House’ in Saratoga Springs, New York. French fries were the speciality of the restaurant. As the story goes, George was known for making French fries but failed to impress a particular customer who sent the fries back, saying they were cut too thickly. Agitated, George then cut the potatoes in extremely thin circular slices and fried them. When the customer tasted the fries, he loved them. This is widely known to be the story behind the creation of potato chips that became a worldwide phenomenon over time. However, its authenticity remains debated. In 1860, George opened his own restaurant, ‘Crums House,’ in Saratoga Lake‘. Many VIPs frequented the restaurant. Quite naturally, it was known for its delicious potato chips. George shut down his restaurant in 1890. He died in 1914, at the age of 90.