Edward De Gernier

Edward De Gernier
Born(1847-05-18)18 May 1847
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels, Belgium
Died3 March 1926(1926-03-03) (aged 78)
Dundee, Scotland
Other nameFrenchie
Known forIntroducing chips to Scotland
SpouseJulia Stephanie Morant

Edward De Gernier was a Belgian fryer and shoemaker, best known for introducing chips to Scotland.

Early life

De Gernier was born in Brussels in 1847. In April 1869 he married Julia Stephanie Morant of Armentières, France. They moved to Scotland from Armentières eventually settling in Dundee.

Career

After arriving in Dundee De Gernier noticed a gap in the market for a Belgian-style chip stall. His wife's combination of chips and peas with vinegar nicknamed the Dundee Buster was a huge success with the locals. He set up a shop in the no longer existing Grassmarket area which was famous for its street markets. De Gernier’s influence laid the foundation for Dundee’s long-standing relationship with the chippy, a meal that is still enjoyed today.

When Julia passed away in 1902 Edward retired from the chipper business and opened a shoe repair shop in Lochee which he worked at until his death in 1926 at the age of 79.

References

  1. ↑ "French fries (or Belgian fries)". able2know.org. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "She Town". thedundeetapestry.com. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "History of Fish and Chips". theplateunknown.com. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "How Dundee served Scotland's first chip shop". dundeeculture.com. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "DUNDEES' FIRST CHIPPY! THE EDWARD DE GERNIER STORY. Edward de Gernier was the enterprising individual who gave Scots their first taste of fries 140 years ago". facebook. Retrieved 10 July 2026.