Who Invented French Fries

French fries are one of the most popular and oldest side dishes in the world. For centuries, different cultures have enjoyed variations of fried potatoes, and the dish has become a global staple for all to enjoy. However, who was the inventor of the very first French fry?

The study of who invented French fries dates back to the 18th century when the term “frenching” was first coined. Frenching, or French-cut, referred to a process of cutting potatoes into thin strips before frying them. It is believed that the practice of French-cut potatoes was first used by street vendors in Paris, France.

The first confirmed record of French fries being eaten in Paris dates back to 1789 when Thomas Jefferson, then the United States Ambassador to France, served “potatoes served in the French manner” at a White House dinner. How he got the potatoes is still unknown, but the name stuck and French fries were born!

In Belgium, French fries are referred to as “Belgian fries” and there is a legend that claims that they were invented by villagers near the town of Namur in the late 1600s. During the hard winter months, villagers would gather small fish from the River Meuse, which was frozen over. To prepare them, they chopped and fried the small fish in oil as a substitute for their usual dish of fried potatoes. The villagers served their fried fish with each meal and called it “les Frites.”

Despite the claims of both French and Belgian inventors, the actual origin of french fries is unknown and has been disputed for centuries. What is certain, however, is that French fries are one of the most popular side dishes in the world and continue to be enjoyed by all!