A potato chip inspired by Canada’s iconic PEI spuds has won a Lays potato chip contest that invites Canadians to suggest a flavour.

The winner, from among four 2015 finalists that consumers have been able to buy since August, is “P.E.I. Scalloped Potatoes.” It was suggested by Jordan Cairns of Burlington. He wins $50,000 plus one per cent of sales.

In the contest, “Lay’s Canada Do Us a Flavour, Tastes of Canada,” Canadians are invited to suggest iconic flavours, which the company somehow conjures into potato chips.

Cairns, 29, said he has a love for Atlantic Canada’s spuds, with scalloped ones being a favourite side dish at family meals when he was a boy.

“It’s incredible to think that a flavour inspired by a childhood memory will join the Lay’s lineup in stores across Canada,” he said.

The other finalists this year were Butter Chicken, Cowboy BBQ beans, and Montreal Smoked Meat. They were available to consumers for a limited time. Aficionados were invited to vote for their favourite.

The crunch comes when a winner is declared from the finalists, with that flavour continuing in production.

A notable past winner was “Poutine.” Last year’s was called “Jelapeno Mac N’cheese.” Winner Randall Litman of Calgary said it was inspired by the taste of crunchy chips alongside macaroni salad, with added jalapeno pepper.

At a Lays’ web page for the new flavour, a picture of the family-sized bag shows a graphic of a casserole dish of golden scalloped potatoes.

“Inspired by Atlantic Canada’s reputation for potato cultivation, one of Jordan Cairns’ fondest memories of growing up was when he sat down to big family dinners on Friday nights and holidays,” consumers can read.

“His favourite side dish at these meals was always the freshly baked, rich and cheesy scalloped potatoes.”

The snack makers holds similar contests in other countries. Winners have included “Pulled Pork” in the United Kingdom, “Walkie Talkie Chicken” in South Africa, and “Southern Biscuits and Gravy” in the United States.

Correction – November 17, 2015: This article was edited from a previous version to update an incorrect sub-headline that said Jordan Cairn’s potato chip flavour beat out four other entries.

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