Ah, the chip. Even though it’s rivalled by kebabs, tikka masala and American fast food burgers, the sturdy chip will always hold a place in London’s heart. National Chip Week London, a weeklong celebration of the king of all takeaways, is taking place in February and people all across the city are celebrating by eating more chips – it’s made from potatoes, so it has to be healthy, right?

A history of the chip
Potatoes first became popular in Europe around 200 years ago, about the time French restaurants started serving up pommes frites. The formula remained the same until the 60s, with the invention of the frozen chip. Although health opinions have remained mixed on the chip, there’s no doubt that people all over London love to eat them.

Chip facts
According to National Chip Week London organisers, one in three Britons eat chips on a weekly basis. There are 8,500 fish and chip shops across the UK, which sell more then 277 million portions of chips a year – mostly made of Maris Piper potatoes. London’s love affair with the chip was apparent even more than 50 years ago – Minister of Food Frederick Lord Woolton declared that fish and chips were the only food that wouldn’t be rationed during the Second World War.

Chips and health
Assuming they’re not deep fried in vats of oil, covered in salt and eaten for every meal, chips aren’t even that bad for you. They’re the healthiest of most popular takeaways – an average portion of cod and chips has at least a quarter of the fat and a third fewer calories than takeaways like chicken tikka masala and pilau rice or sweet and sour pork with egg fried rice.

Celebrate National Chip Week London
And what’s the best way to celebrate National Chip Week? By eating chips, of course. A number of bars and restaurants are using National Chip Week to launch special offers on lunchtime and dinner meals of fish and chips, so keep an eye out and check back soon for the latest news on what's on where.

2009 Perfect Portion London winner
After an exhaustive search throughout London, the winners of last year's Perfect Portion award went to George's Fish and Souvlaki Bar, credited with serving the most satisfying quantity of good quality chips. For more information on George's Fish and Souvlaki Bar, click on the link below. Eat chips in London
Need somewhere else to go that serves worthy chips? Check out our list of recommended fish and chip shops in London and celebrate National Chip Week in style. National Chip Week London runs from Monday 15th February - Sunday 21st February 2010.

Voting for the 2010 Perfect Portion award ends on Wednesday 10th February 2010. To vote for your favourite chip shop, click on the link below.

National Chip Week Official Site

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