After a long break, Lay’s brought back its beloved “Do Us a Flavor” contest, and fans delivered in a big way. More than 700,000 ideas poured in for what the next great potato chip should taste like. The stakes were not just snack aisle glory, but offered a $1 million prize for the winner.
Now the results are in, and Bacon Grilled Cheese has officially taken the crown.
Created by Paula George, the winning flavor came with a story. Her chip idea was inspired by the grilled cheese sandwiches her late father used to make, loaded with crisp bacon and golden, buttery bread. That emotional connection resonated with voters, and evidently, the flavor did too.
The chip flavor is described as capturing everything you’d want in a comfort snack: rich cheese notes, a hint of smokiness, and that buttery crunch you’d expect from a well-made sandwich.
But the competition was fierce. Lay’s had narrowed the submissions to three limited-edition finalists:
- Valentina & Lime – a spicy, citrusy flavor with a hot-sauce kick
- Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken – a savory, bold chip with umami appeal
- Bacon Grilled Cheese – the winning flavor, now headed for mass production
All three flavors hit store shelves briefly to let the public vote, but only one could stay. And while the two runner-ups will disappear soon, fans of the tangy or spicy options might want to stock up while they can.
As for Paula George, she’s now a million dollars richer, and her chip is joining the ranks of past contest winners like Southern Biscuits & Gravy and Crispy Taco.
Lay’s hasn’t announced when the next flavor contest will launch, but after the overwhelming response this year, it’s clear fans are hungry for more. And judging by the buzz around this year’s winner, we might start seeing a lot more bacon grilled cheese—in chip form and otherwise.