Uniondale Library offers a flavorful education

Children from all over the community gathered last week to delve into the extraordinary contributions of African-American inventors and, in particular, to pay homage to the ingenious chef, George Speck, who is credited with the invention of the potato chip.

Kids in attendance got to experience a unique journey through history — and potato chips — celebrating the inventiveness of individuals whose innovations have left an indelible mark on society. Kids also got to try various flavors of potato chips and rank them in order from personal best to worse.

Honey Barbeque came out on top, with salt and vinegar taking the bottom spot as the least favorite among students. But the spotlight of the evening was directed toward the fascinating story of how Speck inadvertently stumbled upon the creation of the iconic potato chip.

George Speck, later known as George Crum, was a culinary trailblazer of African and Native American descent, born in Saratoga County, New York, in the early 19th century. His culinary prowess and inventive spirit led him to work as a chef. Legend has it that one day in the 1850s, while working as a chef at Moon's Lake House, a disgruntled customer repeatedly sent back his order of fried potatoes, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. In response to this complaint, Speck decided to take matters into his own hands and sliced the potatoes paper-thin, and fried them to a crisp.

Much to his surprise, the customer not only approved of the thin, crispy potatoes but also shared his newfound delight with others. This successful culinary experiment led to the birth of the potato chip, a snack that would eventually become a beloved staple around the world. Speck's ingenuity had unintentionally given rise to a culinary sensation that transcend cultural boundaries.

“I didn’t know about George Speck,” said Zamirah, a student who attended the educational chip tasting. “I wish they would teach us more about people like this in school.”

The evening served as more than just a culinary experience for students. It was an educational celebration of African-American inventors and their profound impact on the fabric of society.

“It is important for children to know and celebrate Black history year round,” said Uniondale Librarian Amanda Borgia, who ran the evening. “You can drive safely with stop lights thanks to Garrett Morgan, if you take an elevator instead of the stairs today, you do not have to manually close those doors and worry about your safety thanks to Alexander Miles, we have caller id because of Shirley Jackson, and you can enjoy a delicious potato chip thanks to George Speck.”