Fish and Chips: Industrial Superfood

Fish and chips was one of the drivers of the industrial revolution in Britain, feeding workers a meal when many could not cook for themselves. The combination of fish (usually cod or other white fish) potato, vinegar, peas, lemon and pickled items such as egg or onion supplied many of essential nutrients at a low price. The first shop opened between 1860-3 and the concept quickly spread throughout the country(Woolacombe Fryer,n.d).

Not only did this dish contribute to the health of the poorer city residents it used and helped the expansion of many industrial processes such as ice production and steam boats and trains. Fish and chips was also one of the few foods never rationed in WW2 cementing its role in British concepts of 'taste'(Atkins, P & Bowler, I 2001) even supported by Winston Churchill who described the dish as “the good companions”(Zaino, C 2013). Now fish and chips is served from posh restaurants to local chips shops, though some consider fish and chips to be the opposite of upper class cuisine (Kuttanien, V 2015), thus blurring its original lower class origins and becoming a staple part of British culture.

It is more difficult to associate one particular food with the internet or social media (such as Facebook) let alone the technology age as a whole, however sharing food images, or product and restaurant recommendations is common, especially in minority food groups, such as vegans, gluten free and many others. Facebook's group function allows people to share such information with like minded people, allowing food to become a pillar of self identity and sub-cultures in general.

References

Atkins, P & Bowler, I(2001)Food in Society Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/Conc-camcontent-bb_bb60/items/getitem.jsp?as_course_code=12-BA1002-TSV-INT-SP2&content_id=_768726_1&course_id=_26169_1&doc_id=30459

Kuttainen, V 2015 BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narrative and the Making of Place Week 8 Lecture notes(ppt) Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/

The History of Fish and Chips retrieved form http://www.woolacombefryer.com/the-history-of-fish-and-chips/

Chipping away at the history of fish and chips retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130409-chipping-away-at-the-history-of-fish-and-chips

Image Reference

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg