Lay's names SEMI-finalists in 'Do-Us-A-Flavor' the PITCH. Who will get to the next round?

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  • Lay's names SEMI-finalists in 'Do-Us-A-Flavor' the PITCH. Who will get to the next round?
Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito Lay division, today announced it has narrowed its 'Do Us a Flavor' contest submissions to 10 semifinalist flavors.

Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito Lay division, today announced it has narrowed its 'Do Us a Flavor' contest submissions to 10 semifinalist flavors.

July 10, 2017

The submissions are in — and your favorite flavor might soon be making its way to the chip aisle. Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito Lay division, today announced it has narrowed its "Do Us a Flavor" contest submissions to 10 semifinalist flavors.

Three lucky finalists will see their flavors come to life this summer, and one will be awarded the life-changing $1 million grand prize.

Since January, consumers have shared their passion for unique Lay's flavors by pitching their hearts out on www.Lays.com, all in hopes of their idea becoming the next great potato chip flavor. Now in its fourth year, this year's "Do Us a Flavor" contest asked fans nationwide to share their most creative "pitches" through a photo, video and/or written description that captured the inspiration behind their flavor ideas.

The ten SemiFinalists

The "Do Us a Flavor" semifinalist flavors (in alphabetical order by semifinalist last name) are:
 

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper

Lay's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper" from Nick Arndt (Massillon, Ohio)

Lay's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper" from Nick Arndt
(Massillon, Ohio)

Toasted Ravioli

"Lay's Toasted Ravioli" from Trezette Dixon (St. Louis, Missouri)

"Lay's Toasted Ravioli" from Trezette Dixon
(St. Louis, Missouri)

Avocado Toast

"Lay's Wavy Avocado Toast" from Vanessa Herberger (Rancho Cucamonga, California)

"Lay's Wavy Avocado Toast" from Vanessa Herberger
(Rancho Cucamonga, California)

Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese

"Lay's Kettle Cooked Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese" from Lindsay Hoffman (Palm City, Florida.)

"Lay's Kettle Cooked Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese" from Lindsay Hoffman
(Palm City, Florida.)

Nashville Hot Chicken

"Lay's Nashville Hot Chicken" from Hope Pan (Gainesville, Florida)

"Lay's Nashville Hot Chicken" from Hope Pan
(Gainesville, Florida)

Fried Green Tomatoes

"Lay's Wavy Fried Green Tomato" from Gregory Pope(Charlotte, North Carolina.)

"Lay's Wavy Fried Green Tomato" from Gregory Pope
(Charlotte, North Carolina.)

Smoked Gouda and Honey

"Lay's Kettle Cooked Smoked Gouda and Honey" from Brandon Foster (Saratoga Springs, Utah)

"Lay's Kettle Cooked Smoked Gouda and Honey" from Brandon Foster
(Saratoga Springs, Utah)

Spinach Artichoke Dip

"Lay's Wavy Spinach Artichoke Dip" from Scott Merz (Grand Haven, Michigan)

"Lay's Wavy Spinach Artichoke Dip" from Scott Merz
(Grand Haven, Michigan)

Crispy Taco

"Lay's Crispy Taco" from Ellen Sarem (San Antonio, Texas)

"Lay's Crispy Taco" from Ellen Sarem
(San Antonio, Texas)

Sloppy Joe

"Lay's Sloppy Joe" from Chris Vail (Seattle, Washington)

"Lay's Sloppy Joe" from Chris Vail
(Seattle, Washington)

Sarah Guzman, senior director of marketing, Frito-Lay:
 
“This year, for the first time on 'Do Us a Flavor,' we're building some anticipation by giving America a glimpse into the potato chip flavor ideas that rose to the top.”

“With this year's twist of 'The Pitch,' we were able to truly see our fans' creativity and overall appetite for living life flavorfully. So many personal stories showed us that many of life's greatest moments are wrapped up in flavor and we wanted to share those with America.”
From the pool of semifinalists, a judging panel made up of chefs, foodies and flavor experts will select the three finalist flavors that will be fully developed by Frito-Lay's culinary experts and brought to market later this month. The winning flavor – as determined by fan votes – will be revealed in the fall. Semifinalists each receive $10,000 in prize money, the two runner-up finalists will win $50,000, and the grand prize winner will take home a $1 million check.

To help kick off the finalist flavor reveal, fans will be able to taste and enjoy the three finalist flavors at an event hosted by Lay's in New York City on July 18.

Can you guess which of these 10 flavors will make it to the next round?
 

Contest History

PepsiCo has held "Do Us a Flavor" contests in numerous countries with consumers suggesting millions of ideas for chip flavors around the world.

In July 2012, the Lay's brand launched its first "Do Us A Flavor" contest in the U.S., which resulted in Lay's Cheesy Garlic Bread submitted by Karen Weber-Mendham, a children's librarian from Land O'Lakes, Wis., being selected as the first million-dollar winner.

The contest returned to the U.S. for a second time in Jan. 2014, which resulted in Lay's Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger submitted by Meneko Spigner McBeth, a nurse from Deptford, N.J., as the second grand-prize winner.

And in January 2015, the third installment began, which later crowned Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy the winner. The winning submission was from Hailey Green, a travel agent from Noblesville, Ind.
For more information and official contest rules, please visit www.Lays.com.