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Potato chip exhibit to open Saturday
BALLSTON SPA — “In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore” opens Saturday at Brookside Museum, Saratoga County History Center, 6 Charlton St. The exhibit, which will be on display through Dec. 31, explores the many stories that have claimed to explain the story behind the snack, from disgruntled customers to kitchen mishaps.
The use of the “Saratoga” name to nationally market potato chips is seen through the expansive collection of famed local expert Alan Richer, known as “The Toga Chip Guy.”
The exhibit is open to the public 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information,
go to https://brooksidemuseum.org.
I have recently been featured in twi Times Union Articles
Please read the articles by clicking the links below!
Article 1 - Vanderbilt helped invent the chip in Saratoga?
Likely a salty myth
Article 2 - Toga Chip Guy makes a second showing on History Channel
Please read the article in Saratoga Today that features, your's truly, The Toga Chip Guy!
Click Here
Current Events!
Listen to my recent interview on Heart Radio.
Click Here
Listen To The New History Channel Podcast
After appearing in several episodes of The History Channel's Series "The Food That Built America", I have now been prominently featured in an associated podcast.
Please visit The ACast Site to listen!
Please read my recent interview with Julia Dunn on CBS 6.
Click Here
Read The Article About Me In Saratoga Today Entitled "Who: Alan Richer, The Toga Chip Guy"
This article was just published today, April 2nd, It starts on Page 3.
Click here to read!
Watch the latest episode of the History Channel's "The FoodThat Built America "that aired on Natational Potato Chip Day, March 14. Featuring the history of Herman Lay and then rival Fritos!
Click here to watch
John Karolefski, author of the blog Grocery Stories at:
https://www.grocerystories.com/
has written a book about grocery shopping. He had requested a quote from me about about chips -- their place in snack history, their popularity, etc.
I had provided him with a quote that I will disclose once his book is published.
Here is that quote!
"Potato chips are more American than apple pie. Compare the shelf space allotted to potato chips and apple pie in your local grocery store"
Recent Events
On Novemeber 19th 2019, I spoke to the New York Capital Region Elfuns Club at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park NY, on the History of the Potato Chip.
The club consists of mostly retired General Electric employees.
The Toga Chip Guy Is On The Air!
I have been interviewed about the history of the potato chip by a California based radio station, Yesterday USA Radio Networks, at 10:30pm New York time on Saturday, September 14th.
Listen here!
MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INFLUENTIAL CHIP COMPANIES
While the above companies are clearly influential cornerstones in the Potato Chip Industry, those mentioned in the following articles also have had a hand in it’s growth.
Click Here or the photo below to learn more!
Granite Potato Chip Company
For Immediate Release: Saratoga Salsa & Spice’s Handmade Saratoga Potato Chip™- Making a truly local chip!
Saratoga Springs, NY- September 4, 2009: Saratoga Salsa & Spice Company is proudly announcing today it’s partnership with Sheldon Farms, a 6th generation potato farm, locally owned and operated, located in Salem, NY; fulfilling its vision for a truly handmade Saratoga Potato Chip. Sheldon Farms will supply their heirloom potatoes to Saratoga Salsa & Spice, allowing for the creation of all natural chips made with uniquely flavored potatoes not seen before in the marketplace.
Pat Sheldon of Sheldon Farms states, “Sheldon Farms is proud to supply the potatoes for Saratoga Salsa & Spice’s revival of Saratoga's heirloom chip. When chips were invented in Saratoga a hundred and fifty years ago, great-great-great- grandfather Asahel Sheldon was growing potatoes across the Hudson in Washington County. He'd be proud to see Sheldon potatoes continuing the heritage in Saratoga Salsa & Spice’s Saratoga Potato Chips™ today. As farmers, we also appreciate John and Rick's commitment to using local potatoes, not only for authenticity's sake, but as a prime example of how local and regional food businesses can help preserve the viability and sustainability of the family farm. We very much look forward to working together."
The potato chip was first made in Saratoga Springs in 1853 and they were made by hand. The Saratoga Salsa & Spice Company has brought back this handmade potato chip which is fried in small batches with the skin on. It is then hand seasoned, hand packed and hand labeled. Our chip is an all natural chip and has been on the market since the fall of 2008. Local and nationally known chefs Jasper Alexander, owner of Hatties Restaurant, and David Britton of Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible” are working with the company providing their extraordinary talents to the chip making process.
Saratoga Salsa & Spice owner John Knotek said, “We are ecstatic to be partnering with Pat and Albert from Sheldon Farms. Our goal has always been to create a unique and local handmade potato chip that honors the Saratoga tradition as well as compliments our vision of “products with a little bit of attitude”. We set our course several years back to not simply copy a page of history. We believe our handmade approach, a local facility along with locally grown heirloom potatoes, and our expertise in spices that will allow us to create exciting unique flavors fulfills this vision. Imagine a handmade Heirloom Adirondack Red or Adirondack Blue Saratoga Potato Chip™ seasoned to perfection. I guess you could say we are creating our own page of Potato Chip history”.
As with the other Saratoga Salsa & Spice products, the chips will be produced locally under the Pride of New York program. As a member of the advisory board for the Pride of New York program, Dave Evans, shared “It was about five years ago when Saratoga Salsa & Spice decided to do this exciting potato chip concept in its original form. What these folks have come up with is huge. Producing potato chips, having a facility in our great state; partnering with Pat and Albert Sheldon of Sheldon farms, a New York State sixth generation farmer, to provide New York potatoes; plus working with two great area chefs, all to make handmade potato chips and a plan to create jobs here in NY. I have been on the Pride of New York Advisory Board for many years and I can say without hesitation; this is what the Pride program is all about!”
Hi Alan,
Wanted to share with you some exciting news re: our Saratoga Potato Chip!! I believe this truly completes the base vision for our chips, allowing us to do something that simply no one else can do… using locally sourced, heirloom potatoes. We can do this because of our approach—handmade/small batches/”custom” batches.
Look forward to talking with you soon. But wanted to make sure I kept you in the loop. We greatly appreciate all of your insight and support!!!!!!!!!
Best Regards,
John
Saratoga Salsa & Spice Company
398 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-580-0792
www.saratogasalsaandspice.com
Jackson's Honest (Boulder, CO)
Founders Megan and Scott Reamer started Jackson's Honest after their son, Jackson, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. After noticing how much his symptoms improved by replacing carbohydrates with coconut oil and other ancestral fats, they began making chips by slow-cooking potatoes in coconut oil. Today, Jackson's Honest products come in varieties such as Apple Cider Vinegar Potato Chips, Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, Cheesy Cheddar Grain Free Puffs, and more.
Visit https://jacksonshonest.com to learn more.
25 YEAR CHIP INSTITUTE MEMBERS HONORED
Potato Chip Institute 25 YEAR MEMBERS ARTICLE
Potato Chipper Jan. 1967
Click here to read the whole article.
Potato Chip Institute 1966 Silver Anniversary Award Recipients
Each entry show the recipients brief bio with contributions to the Chip Industry. Please note some of the major industry players like Lay’s & Utz, both still doing very well even today!