Listen to what people are saying!

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What they are saying about my Exhibit at the Saratoga County History Center at the Brookside Museum:

"Wonderful to visit such a delicious historical collection. Your exhibit has unusual, interesting stories that explain the history well, with all its possibilities. Thanks for the interactive kids tips combined with artifacts and stories."

"Nice display"
"Very informative as well as interesting"

"It's an honor to see this exhibit in person. As the proud nephew of the Toga Chip guy, I see first hand all the hard work and dedication that has gone into this collection. Thank you to the SCHC for bringing this exhibit to the public. Adam and Laura King"

Informative & appealing. Though I have heard many stories about the origin/origination of the potato chips, this one-room exhibit captures the "origin" and multiple promotions/sellers throughout the local/national areas and beyond. A treat." Joanna Z."

"Mr. Chip Guy-
I'm a collector and have done some research on my collection . I'm very impressed with the work you have done - it's world class, an example of how unlikely a subject can inspire such effort."

"ALAN-AKA "TOGA CHIP GUY". VERY NICE & INFORMATIVE EXHIBIT OF 1/3 OF YOUR VAST SARATOGA CHIPS COLLECTION. GREAT PRESENTATION
MICHAEL NOONAN."

"Fun Exhibit. Now I know the answer to the burning question of the origin of the potato chip.
Thanks Diane Denny"

"We truly loved all we saw and learned about Saratoga Chips. It was so much fun to see how it all evolved. Thank you Brookside Museum and "Toga Chip Guy."
We are always excited by what happens here at the Brookside Museum."

It's open Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 5pm until December 23rd.


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"Could have written a book with all your stories! Fascinating stuff!"
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris


I always feel very grateful that experts like you take their time to share their knowledge and insights with me. I really appreciated our conversation. You're an excellent communicator, content and energy/delivery wise. 

Annabelle Tas
Content Producer
DBcom Media, and Eat Me (or try not to) documentary series.


Thank you Alan for being such a fun guest.

Walden Hughes
Yesterday USA Radio Station


"Wow.  It's really fascinating, * * * It's amazing how your interest because of Saratoga has snowballed into this really wonderful, wonderful history of a staple in our diet that is very much American."

Rabbi Scott Spheen of Congregation Beth Emeth-Albany, NY


It went really well!! We had over 40 people live on Zoom and about 10 on Facebook. I was watching people who had their cameras on and they seemed interested as you went through everything and you did a great job with fitting it all in for timing. I know that was not an easy feat!

Nicole Babie
Membership & Programs Director
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

"There is no one who knows potato chips like Alan. He is your go to guy for all things chip related."

David Leopold from Al Hirschfeld Foundation


The comments from the group were “wonderful “ and “ fun."  It was great to see slides and hear about your collection and speak with a potato chip historian! 

Gloria May
Academy of Life Long Learning
History,Art and Science in the Capital Region Series Host
https://www.esc.edu/all/


"He's known as the Toga Chip Guy"

Doug & Kelly
WGY AM 810 and FM 103.1
Schenectady, NY

A former tax counsel for GE who likes to crunch more than numbers has spent years studying the crispy golden spud"

Liz Bishop
News Anchor
WRGB CBS6 Albany

Richer, a historian and blogger who specializes in the discrete field of Saratoga Chip history
Natalie Moore, Managing Editor at Saratoga Living


On my search for the true origins of cheese puffs, Alan not only knew their story, but also had a plethora of photos and ads from back when they were first invented — a testament to his knowledge of and passion for all things chips.

Ian Lecklitner
Staff Writer
MEL Magazine

Dear Alan ,
On behalf of the Academy of Life Long Learning I want to thank you for your presentation on everything  “Saratoga chip”. The comments from the group were “wonderful “ and “ fun”.   As we are in the Saratoga area so many of us had assumed we were the birthplace of the famous chips. It was interesting to learn that  might be more fiction than fact.  It was great to see slides and hear about your collection and speak wit’s  a potato chip historian!
Thank you again, it was a pleasure to have you as part of our series on History,Art and Science in the Capital region.


Gloria May
Series host
https://www.esc.edu/all/


The comments from the group were “wonderful “ and “ fun."  It was great to see slides and hear about your collection and speak with a potato chip historian! 

Gloria May
Academy of Life Long Learning
History,Art and Science in the Capital Region Series Host
https://www.esc.edu/all/

"Thank you so much for being such a great guest. We really enjoy you being on the show."

Walden Hughes
Yesterday USA Radio Networks


Nobody can match Alan's deep chipper knowledge, and it was an absolute pleasure having him on our show.

Joel P. Schneider
Producer - "The Food That Built America" on the History Channel

"The info you provided for both Pringles and the earlier Frito-Lay episode of Food That America Built, a series that explores the rise of iconic food brands, was terrific, thank you so much for all of your assistance on that!"

Barbara Maranzani
Producer, HISTORY/A+E Networks

"I spoke with the attendees after your presentation and throughout the remainder of the [American Culinary Federation Sanctioned Culinary Competition and C]onference and overall, everyone enjoyed the presentation."

Mark Miller, Certified Executive Chef
Director, Dining Services
Skidmore College

I received several emails from listeners saying how much they enjoyed hearing you and loved the information you shared. (Me, too.)

Patricia, host of California based radio station, Yesterday USA Radio Networks 

“I love what you wrote and was actually quite fascinated by your story. I may have to go
out and get a bag of chips! Laughing ...

You will be our first featured "Spotlight" Alan.

Thanks so much ... your piece is just so captivating, and very interesting!”

Chris Costello (Editor of the Abbott and Costello International Newsletter, Host of the On Cue Podcast, and Daughter of Legendary Comedian, Lou Costello)

I could not start this off without thanking Alan Richer (www.togachipguy.com) for his invaluable help with the history of potato chips and their Saratoga origins, along with the photos and press cuttings.  Without fellow enthusiasts, it would be a lot more difficult to explore such a unique subject matter.  Indeed, I would not have known about the Lynn Museum and Historical Society.  * * * It was Alan's interest in Saratoga that led me to Dave Mitchell's incredible research, which formed the starting point for much of my historical analysis.   

Paul Casella
Author
The Wonderful World of Chips & Crisps 2020 Including the First 1,000 Reviews.
Visit Chips & Crisps
A UK based chip website


Thanks for the lecture. I asked the two classes what they thought and frankly they really liked it. One thing they really enjoyed was your passion for the topic. I tell them all the time how important it is to be emotionally involved in the topics you research and they saw it in action with you.

"It was a very revealing and interesting presentation.  Thank you so much."
Chuck Knowles, Program Chair, Schenectady Chapter of Elfun Society, a volunteer organization of General Electric leaders

Dr. John Stanton.
Professor of Food Marketing
Saint Joseph's University
Editor, Journal of Food Product Marketing
European Retail Academy, Hall of Fame

Alan Richer, otherwise known as the Toga Chip Guy, is perhaps the most informed Potato Chips enthusiast and historian in America! He will tell you all you need to know about the chip, and its history in Saratoga Springs!
Discover Saratoga

I like your website, I find it to be at once educational and entertaining.
Ron Azzopardi
Sales Manager
Wai Lana Snacks

I loved your history display, especially how you captured images of the name "Saratoga Chips" being used across the country.
Jeff Duchesneau
Owner, Tri Sum Potato Chips, the oldest Brand of Potato Chips

Excellent!  Very educational!  Really enjoyed the history & tour.  Keep up the good work spreading the story of Saratoga Chips. 
Chef Matthew Bolton
SUNY Adirondack

“Your blog is great! Since nearly everyone on the planet loves some type of potato chip, why shouldn't there be a blog about them? I'm glad I visited it!”
Emily A. Schroeder
Reference/Genealogy
Maine State Library

"The FailChips documentary is now live and I wanted to share it with you! Everyone over here is super happy with how this came out and we hope you are too! We had such a wonderful time filming with you and appreciate you taking the time to film with us!"
SARA INTRATOR
Producer
VICE MEDIA LLC

"On behalf of the OGS Special Events Office, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your participation in the 2017 Black History Month Celebration. Your participation in the Cultural Expo and Vendor Fair made the program a tremendous success.
* * *
Again, thank you very much for being a part of this important program."
Sara Hill
Event Coordinator
New York State Office of General Services │ Convention and Cultural Events

"Thank you so much for your willingness to help us out in many ways for The Chip Festival. Again, we are grateful for your help as a judge and with the display."
Greg Dixon
Chair
The Chip Festival
Saratoga Springs Lions Club

"The "Toga Chip Guy" spot, starring you, aired last Saturday on NBC as part of the season's final "Summer at Saratoga" broadcast. * * *
Thanks again for being a part of our broadcast, for being so generous with your collection, and for teaching us all about the local origins potato chip.
Jeff Monty
Producer
NBC Sports

"Great presentation last night! I really enjoyed hearing about your collection and how you became interested - and you were funny, which I liked."
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

"You did a wonderful presentation!"
Mary Ann Fitzgerald
City Historian
Saratoga Springs, NY

"That's quite a collection!"
- Dirk Burhans
Author of Crunch A History of the Great American Potato Chip.

"A valuable source of information. Alan Richer has provided me with guidance and knowledge on a delectable topic. Thank you for your generous assistance."
- Anne Renaud
Author of Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament

"Outstanding Display! Love the History."
- Brendan R. Walsh CIA (the original one), Dean - Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America

"Awesome"
- Amanda Thomason, Snyder's-Lance, Inc. (Maker of Cape Cod Potato Chips)

"Very Impressive!"
- Mark Costello, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Better Made Snack Foods, Inc

"Great Collection,"
- Chef Jasper Alexander, owner of Hattie's Chicken Shack

"Great collection and very interesting!"
- Colleen Farley, SNAC International (Snack Food Association)

"Fabulous!"
- Bob Kavachick, News Channel 13 Albany Weatherman

“Alan, our conversation was so helpful. You have a bounty of information on your website, it is truly one of a kind……
Again, thank you so much for all of your help, I really do appreciate it……”
- Marisa Dellato, The Boston Globe

"Your program was extraordinarily interesting to everyone. You've done an incredible job of gathering the material culture."
- Field Horne, Editor of Saratoga Living Magazine

"It's absolutely fascinating.*** I think you've done an amazing job creating the presentation --for foodies like me, it's pure eye candy."
- Merrill Shindler, World Renowned Food Critic

“Alan is certainly the Toga Chip Guy and much more.  I could do 3 shows with him and still not get enough of his knowledge & experiences.”
- Rick Thompson, Saratoga Broadcasting

“Distinguished as being the preeminent, if not the only, authority on the history of the potato chip industry in Saratoga Springs”
- Albany Times Union

…..Plans also call for family-oriented activities and entertainment, and a history display by Alan Richer, the “Toga Chip Guy,” who has a variety of potato chip memorabilia and artifacts related to Saratoga and the industry as a whole.

- The Saratogian

Alan Richer - aka the Toga Chip Guy, a dedicated historian of the potato chip and its origins - will be on hand as a judge and to showcase his collection of chip memorabilia. www.thechipfestival.com

- Kirsten Ferguson - Saratoga Living

“Just a short note to tell you how much I, and the people of Malta, appreciated your generosity in sharing a portion of your extensive collection of potato chip memorabilia. The display elicited a great deal of interest from the public and the interest was not limited to an age group. Everyone was attracted to the display. I saw a number of little children insist that their parents lift them so that they could peer into the case. My only regret is that we do not have a larger secure display area and could only accommodate a small fraction of your extensive collection.”

Please continue to look for opportunities to tell the fascinating story of the “Toga Chip Guy” and his wonderful collection.

- Paul Perreault Town of Malta Historian

“Special thanks to Alan Richer, who has provided valuable input on the Saratoga Chip and has an incredible collection of knowledge and materials about the spread of the Saratoga Chip.”
- Dave Mitchell, author of
Chips, Crums and Specks of Saratoga County History, The Story of Saratoga Chips And Their Mythical Makers.  Dave's blog is linked under the Chips in the News Tab and can also be accessed
here


"... a part-time potato chip historian from New York."
- Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Great presentation!"
- Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

"a great lecture."
- James Parillo Saratoga Springs History Museum

"Richer, of Saratoga Springs, will discuss the myth, folklore and legend associated with the invention of the snack that has developed into a multi-billion dollar industry."
- Albany Times Union

"Alan Richer likes his history a little salty. Known locally as the "Toga Chip Guy, Richer has immersed himself in the myths, folklore and facts surrounding America's most beloved snack food."
- Glens Falls Post-Star

"Fascinating pictures of the history of the potato chip"
- Jerry Crouth Empire Broadcasting Corporation

“Special thanks to Alan Richer, who has provided valuable input on the Saratoga Chip and has an incredible collection of knowledge and materials about the spread of the Saratoga Chip. You can find more about him at TogaChipGuy.com.”
- Dave Mitchell - Noted Chip Historian

Visit Dave’s Blog by clicking here or the image below.

"Fascinating pictures of the history of the potato chip"
- Jerry Crouth Empire Broadcasting Corporation

“Special thanks to Alan Richer, who has provided valuable input on the Saratoga Chip and has an incredible collection of knowledge and materials about the spread of the Saratoga Chip. You can find more about him at TogaChipGuy.com.”
- Dave Mitchell - Noted Chip Historian