Lord of the Fries is celebrating National French Fry Day with an act of profound generosity.

Ah, the French fry. That glorious golden shoestring of potato that has become the ubiquitous accompaniment to burgers, steak and mussels the world over. The greatest delivery mechanism for salt and starch ever devised by man. A reason to get up in the morning.

As far back as 1802, Thomas Jefferson was enjoying “potatoes served in the French manner” at the White House. In 1856, the term “French fried potato” appeared in an English-language cookbook for the first time, popping up in E. Warren’s misogynistically-titled Cookery for Maids of All Work. (The recipe called for “boiling fat” and “a little salt,” though it doubtless wasn’t long before the gourmands of the day starting pimping their potatoes with cheese, chili, gravy and the rest and trying to get them to go curly for the sheer novelty of it.) A couple of controversies aside – the competing Belgian and French claims to ownership, the whole ridiculous “freedom fries” episode, Gwyneth Paltrow’s claim that they go well with skincare products  – the world’s love affair with the fry, the frite, the chip, the wedge, has remained consistent for more than two centuries.

It seems only proper, then, does it not, that the humble allumette-cut spud should have a day dedicated to its glory? (Everything else does nowadays.) To mark National French Fry Day tomorrow, Lord of the Fries outlets across the country are planning to go all out, offering free fries for an hour to the masses, complete with their internationally-inspired sauces. Between 1pm and 2pm, the popular chain, which has stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, will be serving their starchy line-up gratis. Get in quick. This is the sort of offer that starts riots.

Starting life as a food truck in 2004 – which is to say before food trucks and pop-ups were even a thing – Lord of the Fries is 100 per cent vegetarian, kosher and halal. The company prides itself on the quality of its produce and its ethical approach.

In the meantime, here are ten recipes that will help you to celebrate National French Fry Day at home.