Oklahoma woman wins $1M with Lay's Bacon Grilled Cheese flavor

An Oklahoma woman has taken the top prize in Lay’s 2025 "Do Us A Flavor" competition.

Paula George of Sapulpa is the creator of the winning flavor: Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese Flavored Potato Chips. As the contest champion, George will receive $1 million, and her chip flavor is now available in stores nationwide.

Flavor Draws on a Family Recipe

George submitted the idea as a tribute to her late father’s bacon grilled cheese sandwiches, blending the rich, savory flavors of a comfort food staple into a chip. Lay’s described the flavor as nostalgic and crowd-pleasing, combining two American favorites: bacon and grilled cheese.

"I am so honored to be named the Lay’s Do Us A Flavor winner!" said George. "Seeing Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese flavored potato chips brought to life was a dream come true in itself, and knowing that thousands of Lay’s fans across the country tried and loved it, just as much as I did, fills me with immense joy and gratitude for this opportunity."

The new flavor joins a lineup of past fan-voted winners, including Lay’s Crispy Taco, Southern Biscuits & Gravy, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Wavy Fried Green Tomato.

Finalists Included Bold, Global Flavors

More than 700,000 flavor ideas were submitted during this year’s contest. The other two finalists were Lay’s Valentina & Lime, created by Araceli Huerta, and Lay’s Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken, submitted by Neelia Lynn.

All three finalist flavors are now on store shelves in Sapulpa and across the country while supplies last.

Lay’s Continues Celebrating Fan Creations

The "Do Us A Flavor" campaign is part of Lay’s broader effort to involve fans in the company’s flavor innovation process. PepsiCo Foods, which owns Lay’s, said the 2025 contest showcased both creativity and connection through food.

"Congratulations to our 2025 Lay’s Do Us A Flavor contest winner, Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese!" said Denise Truelove, senior vice president, marketing, PepsiCo Foods. "The creativity and passion for bold, delicious flavors, and the story behind each submission, captured the hearts—and taste buds—of potato chip lovers everywhere. As a leader in flavor innovation, we’re thrilled to bring this flavor to life and celebrate the inspiring ideas of our fans through this contest.”