Last call for Lays 'Do us a flavor' contest in the US

The Lay's brand today announced a last call for submissions for the next great Lay's potato chip flavor. Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, kicked off its "Do Us A Flavor"contest in July to invite fans to submit their potato chip flavor ideas for the chance to win $1 million in grand prize money or one percent of their flavor's 2013 net sales (whichever is higher).

---->UPDATE: Judging has begun!!!! The 3 finalist flavors are expected in stores around February 12, 2013. If you live in the US, you can subscribe to a notification email. <-----

Fans now have less than two weeks until submissions close on Oct. 6, 2012 to share their flavor inspirations through an application on the Lay's Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/lays). The winning flavor will be revealed in 2013, the year Lay's – America's most-loved potato chip brand – celebrates its 75-year anniversary.

Three finalist flavors will be fully developed by Frito-Lay's culinary experts and unveiled in early 2013. Then, it will be up to fans to vote for the finalist flavor they love most with the winning flavor being revealed in May 2013. The two runner-up finalists will each win $50,000 in prize money, with the grand prize winner taking home $1 million or one percent of the 2013 net sales of the winning flavor (whichever is higher).

Actress and restaurateur Eva Longoria, and celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Symon will be part of a judging panel made up of chefs, foodies and flavor experts who will narrow down the contest submissions to three finalist flavors. In addition, the two have been appearing in national television and online advertising, as well as a retail marketing campaign to support the contest. Longoria, an award-winning actress, best-selling cookbook author and philanthropist, is the owner of Beso, one of the hottest eateries in Los Angeles known for its eclectic menu of colorful and tasty dishes from around the world. Originally from Cleveland, Symon is the current co-host of the ABC daytime talk show "The Chew"and appears on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America"and Cooking Channel's "Symon's Suppers."He is also the owner of four award-winning restaurants located in America's heartland: Lola, Lolita, Roast and B Spot, as well as the recently opened Bar Symon inside Pittsburgh International Airport.

Now through Oct. 6, 2012, fans can submit their flavor suggestions by following instructions on the Lay's Facebook Page or by using their cell phone to text FLAVOR to CHIPS (24477). To submit a suggestion, fans will be asked to provide their flavor name, up to three possible ingredients and a 140-character description or inspiration for their flavor.

Visitors to the Lay's "Do Us A Flavor"Page can also interact on Facebook in deeper, more social ways. Exclusively for the contest, consumers can select their favorite flavors by clicking an "I'd Eat That"button, and they can share their voting activity back to the Facebook community, providing consumers with a fun opportunity to interact with their friends and other contestants in head-to-head "flavor showdowns."In addition, consumers in need of additional inspiration can use Chef Michael Symon's "Flavorizer"app, which scans the individual's Facebook timeline to recommend ingredients most unique to him or her.

The "Do Us A Flavor"contest has already been held in numerous countries with consumers suggesting more than eight million ideas for chips flavors around the world. From the UK and India to Australia and South Africa, the "Do Us A Flavor"contest has resulted in a wide spectrum of popular consumer-created chip flavors, including Mastana Mango, Walkie Talkie Chicken, Caesar Salad, Chilli &Chocolate, Late Night Kebob and even Cajun Squirrel. This marks the first time the "Do Us A Flavor"contest has been held in the U.S.

More details and official contest rules are available at www.facebook.com/lays.