CRISPIVAL '08

PRESS RELEASE

CRISPIVAL: THE WORLD’S FIRST CRISP FESTIVAL
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18TH 2008
EXMOUTH CHURCH HALL
EXMOUTH MARKET, LONDON

It’s crunch time! A festival for anyone that holds a special place in their heart for the heroic but humble crisp. A true British icon, and finally a few days after the birthday of godfather of potatoes, Christopher Columbus, it has a special day all to itself. It’s going to be a day filled with games, music, stalls and of course crisp tastings. But the focus of the day is without a doubt the quest for the answer to the question: What is the best crisp ever?

Us ‘n’ Crisps
Our exhaustive emotional relationship with the crisp has created an industry of fearless innovation and experimentation. No other snack has such an exciting variety. And everyone has their favourite. From the moon-like discos, to the tizzy fongued skips, to the noble cheesy wotsit. While the potato is the grand daddy of crisps, other things have been lucky enough to step into the breach. Maize, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots and yams have all been lucky enough to have been willing participants in an orgy of flavour and sound.

Soil ‘n’ Snacking
From the moment Sir Walter Raleigh entered the court of the Queen Elizabeth, trousers bulging, the marriage of the mud-loving potato with a heavenly array of flavours was destined to be. They’re a reflection of the agricultural yet global nature of the British palette. Sociologically the importance of the snacking in British culture tells us a lot about ourselves. We are a nation that needs to lose a certain amount of inhibition before the floodgates can be opened. Over a pint, or a glass of wine, the sharing of crisps symbolises the sharing of a moment. Heart to hearts flourish, bugbears blossom and shoulders are lightened. The well-meaning march to educate the nation on healthy eating has only made the moment of breaking open the foil packet even more treasured.

History ‘n’ Hissy Fits
It’s 1853 in the deep south, and for the fourth time, a plate of sliced potatoes was sent back to George Crum’s kitchen. Still not thin enough! the customer moaned. In a fit of pique, Crum sliced the potatoes thinner than even a fork could manage. But the second stage in it’s development came a century later in an Irish kitchen. Joseph ‘Spud’ Murphy was to potato-print his name in the crisp history books by creating the first flavoured crisps. Cheese ‘n’ Onion, closely followed by Salt ‘n’ Vinegar emerged blinking into our British consciousness.

Vote ‘n’ Party
So join us in not only voting on the best crisp ever but in the fun and games of potato printing, crisp-inspired music, crisp packet art, crisp crunch competition as well as the unveiling of the world’s first alcoholic crisp. Open up your packets and make some noise, crisp lovers!


CRISPIVAL ‘08
The World’s First Crisp Festival
SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER
2 pm until 11 pm
EXMOUTH CHURCH HALL
26 Exmouth Market
London EC1R 4QE

Tickets £5 (All proceeds going to charity.)
Tickets available in advance on ticketweb.co.uk
This event is being organised through love of crisps and is not affiliated with any crisp manufacture, just so you know.
www.crispival.com
For more information contact
nick@crispival.com or 07974245015 cat@crispival.com 07974234856