The history of the world, according to a potato

Well, I've just got back from Bruges - which probably has more museums per head of population than most places. (After my role in Birmingham's bid, it was pure coincidence that I should spend a 2008 family holiday in a former European Capital of Culture, honest)

One of the first historic buildings we wandered into started with an introduction to the history of the city. It was a grand building, full of civic pomp and statues; the entrance fee was reasonable, staff welcoming and child-friendly, but the subject matter just seemed a little heavy for our first museum of the holiday - so we gave it a miss.

If this was a big, stodgy pudding of a museum, then the Salvador Dali collection just across the square was a raspberry cream waffle with chocolate sauce by comparison.

Actually, we didn't find a waffle museum - but there seemed to be a place dedicated to everything else the Flemish city is famous for: a diamond museum, brewery museum, the chocolate story, as well as a few things you didn't know it was famous for, such as the Dali connection and the history of the table lamp.

It started me thinking what sort of themed museums we might add to Birmingham's tourist menu? The Mini or HP Sauce perhaps? A gun museum might send out the wrong messages at the moment. Any other suggestions?

Back in Belgium, the diamond museum was brilliant at the way it enticed you in with sparkling gems then told the story of the particular region from the context of one key industry. It was fascinating - and I found out far more that way than if I'd have ventured (however unlikely) into a museum called "the economic history of Flanders and the dukedom of Burgundy".

Now here's the bit about potatoes at last.

The place the kids had really been looking forward to most of all in Bruges was the chip museum.

Now, I knew the story of Sir Walter Raleigh from school history lessons, so I'd grown up sort of believing the Great British Spud was invented by an Englishman. But this little Belgian museum did a great job of persuading me, many years later, that the truth was somewhat different. Sir Walt did get a mention, but only as part of a greater, fascinating story that set South American and European history in yet another economic context. It also told how crisps were first created by an American and how ketchup originated from China. At the same time the museum's explanation seemed to elevate the status of Bruges and promote a local culinary dish.

So that's it. A Birmingham Balti Museum is what we really need.

What better way of explaining the social and economic history of Birmingham than through our tastebuds. There could be room too for comparison with other culinary traditions in a gallery that delved into the ethnic make up of the city and perhaps led to a discovery of some 'fusion' dishes. This would not be a niche museum for the Ladypool Road, but could be a mainstream tourist attraction. Any backers out there?

Of course anything that tries to chronicle ethnic history runs the risk of being controversial and needs to involve all communities. That would actually be a strength.

You don't get national populations as divided as Belgium is at the moment, where a Flemish shopkeeper speaking French can lead to a demonstration in the streets. The very words "French Fries" are an insult to the Walloon population, but that didn't stop the Chip Museum from explaining why.

The humble potato can even help explain Belgian politics. What a clever vegetable it is!