Doing Walkers A Flavour

When reading my emails on Hotmail a few weeks ago, I noticed a banner promoting a contest being run by Walkers Crisps.

The competition was looking for people to suggest a new flavour for their line of crisps. I thought I would have a go for a laugh and didn't think any more of it.

Until the other day.

I received an email from them saying that the winners will be announced on Friday January 9th. Apparently, there are going to be six flavours released on that day and then the public will vote on which one they think should be the winner.

The victor claims £50,000 as well as one-percent of all profits made from their flavour.

I didn't put too much thought into it. Had I known the kind of prize was available, I would have spent a little longer with my idea.

The contestants were given three spaces to make their suggestions and I can only remember one of the flavours I had entered.

Sausage in batter and chips.

The consensus of views I've received from my friends have ranged from 'Eurgh' to 'Mmm'.

The chip shop is an institution in the UK whether the Jamie Oliver brigade agree or not so - in the few moments I took to decide on the flavour - I thought it was a good idea to incorporate that into my picks. I know for a fact that my other two selections had 'and chips' at the end but I cannot remember exactly what I chose as the main ingredient.

It may have been 'pie and chips' and 'fish and chips'. I know I didn't do 'pineapple fritter and chips' but, in hindsight, I should have done something as intriguing as that.

A little over ten years ago, I worked on a 'Whitbread in the Community' programme at work and a local school got their pupils to create their own pizza. I was one of the judges and I had to look through all the paintings the young students had made.

One drawing stood out to me.

The girl had a cucumber pizza. Yes, it sounds disgusting and would never work but she showed the most thought and I chose her to win.

Let's hope the gods of ingredient competitions are looking down - they owe me one!