who invented the french fry

The invention of the French fry is disputed between France and Belgium. According to some historians, French fries may have originated in Paris in the late 18th century, sold by street vendors on the Pont Neuf bridge, and named "Pommes de Terre Pont-Neuf." The famous French chef Auguste Escoffier gave a recipe for fries in 1903 based on this Parisian tradition. On the other hand, Belgium claims the modern double-frying technique of French fries originated there, possibly in the late 17th or early 18th century. A popular story credits a German traveling vendor named Krieger, who later renamed himself Mr. Fritz, with inventing the double-fried potato sticks during the Crimean War period. Belgian lore also says the fries were invented in Namur in 1680 when villagers replaced fried fish with fried potatoes because the river froze over. Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing the French fry to America after encountering them in France in the 1780s. In summary, French fries likely evolved with contributions from both France and Belgium, with modern double-fried fries probably perfected by a German vendor in Belgium. The name "French" fries may come from the French language spoken in parts of Belgium and the French style of cooking the potato.