One of Hull’s most famous culinary delights will take centre stage next month as a major sponsor of the city’s Yum! Festival of Food and Drink.

American Chip Spice, which was first created in Hull more than 25 years ago, will celebrate its homecoming by sponsoring a United States-themed cookery and entertainment evening as part of the festival.

Current boss Edward Wilson will return to his hometown to prepare for the big event, bringing his official American Chip Spice van and setting up a branded marquee. Cheerleaders will be in attendance to set the scene.

The Yum! Festival will take over King Edward Street and Queen Victoria Square from Thursday 7 August until Saturday 9 August to bring together cuisine from around the world, with particular emphasis on local produce.

New attractions this year include three themed nights in the festival marquee, with a British night presented by Thieving Harry’s on the Thursday, American specialities from Stanley’s Brasserie on the Friday and an Indian evening with Tapasya restaurant on the Saturday.

Edward elected to sponsor the American night to underline the historic links of American Chip Spice with Hull, and to celebrate the success of a business which has grown ten-fold since he launched it in its current form less than five years ago.
The original recipe dates back to the 1980s. Edward’s parents operated Spice Blenders in Hull and created chip spice after visiting the United States on a research trip.

The distinctive American Chip Spice pot can be found in butchers shops and fast food outlets and is as popular as ever in Hull, where Edward still makes regular visits to customers who he has known for years.

A deal early this year to supply Asda in addition to already supplying Morrisons signalled a break into the big time.
Edward said: “Back in 2000 we were manufacturing between 20,000 and 30,000 pots every year but now we produce around 200,000 as well as between 50 and 60 tonnes in bulk.

“It’s built up a lot over the last year as we’ve promoted American Chip Spice at catering shows and trade events, and the Yum! Festival is part of that expansion – it’s our first major sponsorship.

“We are now selling about ten times more chip spice than in 2000 – apparently you can even get American Chip Spice t-shirts from Top Shop ¬ – and we’re now working on introducing new flavours.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “Chip spice is a real Hull success story – a brand which is instantly recognisable and hugely popular.

“As the organisers of the Yum! Festival we’re really grateful to Edward for sponsoring the American-themed night which, like the British and Indian nights features cooking demonstrations backed by live entertainment, with free entry to all the festival events.”

For full details of the Yum! Festival of Food and Drink visit the website at www.yumfestival.co.uk and Twitter @YumFoodFest