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, 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.