How one insult created an entire snack industry, and weird recipes, history, and stories about the $32.2 billion American-born potato chip market. It's delicious!

In this episode (#42) of Family Tree, Food & Stories, we’re biting into the crunchy taste of summer picnics and potato chips! Join us, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as we dip into some of the more interesting history, stories, and a few good recipes about one of our favorite snack foods – the actual American potato chip.

Did you know that the first potato was the result of a snarky restaurant customer named Rockefeller? It includes how Chef George Crum, in Saratoga, New York, devised a way to get even with his overly demanding patron, and the result… well, it has made history. Today it's a $32 billion industry!

You might be surprised to know that an iron and an ironing board also played a big role in the commercial packaging of the chip.  Now they dominate the snack aisle of every grocery store!  Then, have you ever wondered how some of the chips' wilder flavors came about? 

We also have a few interesting and "Wise" ways to taste, dip, cook, and bake your favorite chips into a new-fangled treat.

Things you’ll learn:

• How the potato chips began with an unsatisfied Rockefeller.
• How a wax paper revolutionized snack recipes.
• Unique flavors and how they came about.
• How to make a potato chip pie crust… for real! And other snack stories and ideas.

Potato chips have a way of bringing us all together.  They’re more fun to eat with friends and family, or even during sneaky midnight snack moments.

So, grab a bag and join us on the couch and listen in as we share some stories about your favorite chips that you might not have ever heard of before. You’ll have some great conversation points for your next party or picnic for sure!

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About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

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Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update