Do Us A Flavor Contest: HBCU Alumna Wins $1M Prize

Following nearly three months of competition, Lay’s potato chips – one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division – today announced Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger flavored potato chips as the winner of this year’s Lay’s “Do Us A Flavor” contest. Meneko Spigner McBeth a 2001 graduate Hampton University, who submitted the idea for Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger flavored chips, will take home a $1 million grand prize or one percent of her winning flavor’s net sales through July 1, 2015 (whichever is higher). Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger flavored chips also will remain on store shelves following the completion of the contest. The three runner-up finalists: Chad Scott from Las Vegas, Nev., who submitted Cappuccino; Matt Allen from Troy, Ohio, who submitted Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese; and Julia Stanley-Metz from Sacramento, Calif., who submitted Mango Salsa will each receive $50,000 in prize money.

Spigner McBeth is a registered nurse with a passion for sushi that started when she was just a little girl, eating handmade rolls by her grandmother. Over the years, her affinity for spicy foods and tastes, like wasabi, only grew, inspiring her winning potato chip flavor.

“The response to this year’s contest has absolutely blown us away. It is clear our fans are not only passionate about flavor, they are also eager to weigh in and share their ideas for the flavors we bring to market next,” said Ram Krishnan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Frito-Lay North America. “It has been an exciting journey, and we are so proud to celebrate Meneko and her $1 million flavor – Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger.”

Given the tremendous excitement consumers showed for all four finalist flavors, the Lay’s brand also announced today it will look for opportunities to bring one or more of the three runner-up flavors back to store shelves for limited-time appearances following the completion of the contest. Consumers are invited to stay tuned at http://www.facebook.com/lays for the latest details.

About the Do Us A Flavor Contest

PepsiCo has held the “Do Us A Flavor” contest in numerous countries with consumers suggesting millions of ideas for chip flavors around the world. Earlier this year, Lay’s brought “Do Us A Flavor” back to the U.S. for the second time, inviting consumers to submit ideas for the next great potato chip flavor and a chance at winning the grand prize of $1 million. After more than 14 million flavor submissions – more than three times the number of submissions in the contest’s debut year in the U.S. – it was clear fans wanted a say in the next Lay’s potato chip flavor.

A judging panel made up of chefs, foodies and flavor experts narrowed submissions down to four finalists – Chad Scott from Las Vegas, Nev., who submitted Cappuccino; Matt Allen from Troy, Ohio, who submitted Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese; Meneko Spigner McBeth from Deptford, N.J., who submitted Wasabi Ginger; and Julia Stanley-Metz from Sacramento, Calif., who submitted Mango Salsa – that were fully developed by Frito-Lay culinary experts and then unveiled in July 2014.

From July 28 through October 18, 2014, consumers were invited to vote for their favorite finalist flavor on www.DoUsAFlavor.com; via Twitter, Instagram and/or Vine; and/or via text message, which resulted in Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger flavored chips being named the winning flavor.

For more details and official contest rules, please visit www.DoUsAFlavor.com.

About Lay’s
Lay’s potato chips is one of the billion-dollar brands that makes up Frito-Lay North America, the $13 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, N.Y. Learn more about Lay’s by visiting www.facebook.com/lays or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lays. You can also follow Lay’s on Instagram by visiting http://instagram.com/lays.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2013, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.