Junk Food Nation, “500 internal server error” are the words I hate the most in the world.  And one of them is a number.  Whenever it happens, my posts just mess up.  And today’s post is the SAME one that wouldn’t load on Sunday!  Clearly something is up.  GRRRRR.  So, in lieu of that, more Junk Food Guy Seeking!  Technical difficulties will be worked out soon (hopefully).

In 2009 the Walker’s Potato Chip Company (the UK version of Lays) had a competition to introduce new flavors into the market.  A friend from the UK recently mentioned it to me via email that, “If I wanted to go bid on eBay I could still find some old bags of these unusual flavored chips.”  Ah, no thanks – I won’t be spending a dime on two year old bags of chips…unless they are the Wild White Nacho Doritos (Damn you, Frito-Lay!)

Instead I just decided to do a little research on the brand and the contest.  Walker’s 2009 “Do Us A Flavour” Competition asked the UK public to chose among many flavors that had been suggested by consumers: Crispy Duck & Hoisin, Builder’s Breakfast, Fish & Chips, Onion Bhaji, Chilli & Chocolate, and Cajun Squirrel (yep, Cajun Squirrel.  I’m not even going to talk about this because I want to vomit in my mouth).

The flavor which seemed most intriguing to me was Chilli & Chocolate:

The Money Shot

Chilli and Chocolate, as described by the blogs, tasted like a rich deep chocolate with some spice infused in it.  Sounds delicious.  Reminds me of the current trend of having chocolate in many savory dishes, both Indian- and Latin- inspired.  And with other trends of mixing savory and sweet together, like chocolate bacon, I think these chips would be a hit here in the US!

Observation #1: LOVE the bag here.  It’s a wacky concept, so why not have an eighth grader draw the image that will represent your flavor to millions of Brits?  Good marketing strategy, Walkers.

Observation #2: Chilli with two LLs?  Why not call it Chilli and Chocollate then?  Cause that would be silly? YOU CRAZY BRITS.

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy