Page 2 - Catálogo Amber Grill - 22.01

General introduction to the
Fish & Chips

“In England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, fish and chips
are undeniably the most popular takeaway meal and a
cultural symbol”. (1) This is for a good reason of course,
“who can resist the mouth-watering combination of fish
in crisp golden batter served with hot, fluffy chips?!
Whether you prefer yours smothered in salt and vinegar,
or with chips, mushy peas, brown sauce or curry sauce,
t thhere are endless possibilities with fish and chips”. (2)
“Fried fish was first introduced to London by Jewish
immigrants from Portugal and Spain as far back as the
17th Century”. In America, “President Thomas Jefferson
described eating ‘fried fish in the Jewish fashion’ on a visit
to the capital at the end of the 18th Century and even
Charles Dickens makes reference to a fried fish
warehouse in Oliver Twist. Whereas fried potatoes as
c
chips phips probably originate from Belgium”. (3)
In UK “the most interesting and patriotic claim is that fish
and chips helped win the First World War! Fish and chips
were highly important to the nation’s working classes and
therefore the government ensured supplies were not
rationed. It helped feed munitions workers and kept the
families of the fighting men in good heart. Again,
reprieved from rationing during the Second World War,
P
Prrime Minister Winston Churchill referred to fish and
chips as “good companions”. British soldiers identified
each other during the D-Day landings by calling out ‘fish’
and the response or password was ‘chips’ ” (4).
01The Amber Grill (1, 2, 3, 4) (A Brief History by Vicky Parker, www.anglotopia.net)