Robert’s ranch raccoon crisps could win £1m

A Harrogate man’s taste for all things USA could net him £1million after he made the final of Walkers ‘create a flavour’ crisp competition.

Robert Gibson, 25, has made it into the final six of the ‘do us a flavour’ competition with his unusual ranch raccoon flavour idea.

The former Harrogate Grammar School student said the inspiration for the flavour came when he was working in retail at Menwith Hill.

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He said: “Ranch flavours are really popular in the States and I tried it on the base and I knew that flavours work really well with meat.

“I wanted to do something unusual, and knew the cajun squirrel flavour had been popular last year, so thought raccoon. It was on a bizarre cookery TV I watched and in parts of America they eat it.”

The final six flavours, cheesy beans on toast, sizzling steak fajita, chip shop chicken curry, hot dog with tomato ketchup and pulled pork in a sticky BBQ sauce, were whittled down from 1.2million entries by a panel of judges including Leeds chef Marco Pierre White, who sang the praises of Robert’s unusual creation.

He said: “I was astounded at some of the flavours we saw. The thought that has gone into the suggestions, such as ranch raccoon really fascinated me. Ranch Raccoon is a crazy, unique flavour – I’m sure most people will never have tried it before – I know that I never had until tasting these crisps.

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“It really is something completely different to anything I have ever tasted!

“I can’t wait to see which one the public choose as its winner.”

Robert is guaranteed a £10,000 prize for making it to final six. However, one lucky winner will take home the jackpot of £1m if their flavour wins the public vote.

Robert said he will take his friends and family on holiday to the final with his prize money, and buy a car.

He said: “I don’t really want to think about the £1m too much, but I would probably buy a house as a first thing.”

Visit www.walkers.co.uk/raccoon to vote for Robert’s ranch raccoon flavour.

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