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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs resident Brandon Foster’s smoked gouda and honey chip flavor idea was chosen as one of 10 finalists in the Lay’s original chip flavor competition.
This is the fourth year the chip manufacturer has held the “Do Us a Flavor” competition, with the first one in 2012, according to the Lay's website. Members of the community submit their own ideas for a new chip flavor, with the top three finalist's chips eventually being sold in stores. The winner will receive $1 million. The other two finalists will receive $50,000.
Foster said his smoked gouda and honey flavor idea came from his favorite snack he and his family ate when he was growing up.
“For as long as I can remember, just as a quick snack, I would slice up cheese and put dollops of honey on it,” Foster said. “I don’t know if that’s a common thing, or if it’s just me and my family, but that was a snack I always casually enjoyed."
In 2012, Foster headed on a road trip after graduation. He discovered the “Do Us a Flavor” competition on the back of a chip bag while boating in Lake Powell. He and his friends began chatting and brainstorming ideas for chip flavors.
“I thought of smoked gouda — which is my favorite cheese — and honey, sweet and savory,” Foster said. “But I never did anything with it. I thought of the idea and just sat (with it) for seriously five years.”
In January when the competition started up again, Foster submitted his flavor idea, telling the company he was submitting it after originally getting the idea five years previously. A few months later, he heard back from Lay's.
“In early April, I was contacted by Lay's letting me know I was a top 10 finalist, which was crazy,” Foster said. “I couldn’t believe it. To have it come full circle five years later, it’s pretty epic.”
Foster and the other finalists received a $10,000 prize. He will find out Tuesday if he is one of the top three.
“I am just waiting with bated breath for Tuesday,” Foster said.
The public can vote here for their favorite chip flavor on July 18, when the top three flavors will be chosen.
Camilla Stimpson is a news writing intern for KSL.com and enjoys reporting on politics, crimes and her own awkward moments on 50shadesofawkward.com. When not writing, she can be found watching "30 Rock" or "Law & Order," napping, planning trips she can't afford and Googling dogs she can't have.
