The History of Fish & Chips
Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas: A True British Classic! There's arguably nothing more emblematic of British cuisine than fish and chips. Picture this: steaming, freshly cooked fish and chips, generously seasoned with salt and doused in vinegar, wrapped in paper and savoured outdoors, even on a brisk winter day. It's an unbeatable British tradition!
Origin of the Quintessential British Dish
The journey of the potato to England is believed to have started in the 17th century, likely brought from the New World, with Sir Walter Raleigh being a notable figure in its history. The concept of frying potatoes is credited to the French.
The origins of fish and chips as a culinary duo are claimed both by Lancashire and London. Chips became a staple in the industrial North, while fried fish was a novelty in London’s East End. Charles Dickens, in his 1839 novel 'Oliver Twist', mentioned a "fried fish warehouse".
The fusion of fried fish and chips soon became a beloved combination, leading to the establishment of fish and chips as a national dish.
The First Fish and Chip Shops
The first fish and chip shop in Northern England is thought to have opened in Mossley, near Oldham, Lancashire, around 1863 by Mr Lees, initially from a wooden hut in the market and later in a permanent shop with a sign proclaiming it the world's first.
Meanwhile, in London, Joseph Malin is believed to have opened a fish and chip shop in Cleveland Street around 1860.
Fish and chip shops, often small family operations, proliferated by the late 19th century.