Herr’s “Flavored by Philly” chip competitors returns for its fourth summer season competitors, with a barely new arrange, a fan-favorite cameo, and the best stakes but: immortality.
This yr, as an alternative of selecting new Philly-centric flavors, the Chester County-based chip firm is pitting the earlier three champions towards one another in a Philly “Starvation Video games.”
The prize? The winner will get added to Herr’s everlasting product line.
Did our questions on a possible battle of champions after final yr’s competitors encourage this yr’s “Flavored by Philly: Crunch Off?” We positive hope so.
Herr’s has partnered with Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber — whose group, Neighbourhood Heroes, the chip firm helps — to assist draw extra followers to vote within the competitors.
“This competitors goes to be fierce with such daring flavors, and I can’t wait to see which one earns a everlasting spot,” stated Schwarber, a self-professed chips fan.
First up for consideration within the crunch-off is the inaugural champion, “Lengthy Hots and Sharp Provolone.” This fan-created taste by Ryan R. beat out over 6,200 preliminary strategies after which Shannon A.’s “Wiz Wit,” and Gregory D.’s “(215) Particular Sauce” within the remaining.
Herrs describes the flavour as “a daring, roasted pepper taste mixed with notes of sharp provolone cheese within the background and a gentle warmth that builds with every potato chip.” Our personal unscientific, in-office style check discovered it “well-balanced,” Primos-eseque” and “inoffensive.”
The following challenger is the “Tomato Pie,” impressed by Corropolese Bakery in Montgomery County. This was the primary yr the competitors regarded for flavors that forged a highlight on native companies. The opposite finalists in 2023 have been a “Roast Pork Sandwich” chip impressed by South Philly’s John’s Roast Pork and a “Korean BBQ Wings” chip, based mostly on the wings at Mike’s BBQ, additionally in South Philly.
“The acquainted flavors of candy tomato sauce and Romano cheese paired with Herr’s signature hearty crunch,” is how Herr describes it. “Tomatotastic” was probably the most memorable response in our workplace.
Rounding out the lineup is final yr’s winner, the “Particular Scorching Stromboli” chip based mostly on Romano’s Stromboli in Essington. The flavour, impressed by the distinctive pizza turnover sandwich invented in 1950, pipped the “Potato Pierogi” taste, impressed by Mother Mother’s Kitchen in Southwest Heart Metropolis, and a “Cheese Ravioli and Marinara”-flavored chip, impressed by Talluto’s in South Philly.
Herr’s says the chip taste “delivers a savory mix of cheese and spices with simply the correct amount of warmth,” whereas WHYY tasters stated it was the “good mix of chip and sandwich.” One evaluator stated it was like consuming a Subway sandwich.
For the previous three years, the chips have solely been out there for a restricted time, leaving some, like Peter Romano Jr., who leads the third technology of the household restaurant, scrambling to stockpile as many baggage as doable earlier than they go away retailer cabinets.
This yr, although, the winner earns a everlasting spot on Herr’s product line, the place they will be a part of the likes of barbecue, bitter cream and onion, and salt and vinegar.
“This competitors is a celebration of Philadelphia’s culinary id that we’re proud to be part of,” stated Ed Herr, the corporate’s chairman and CEO. “We’re honored to let our followers resolve which of those unimaginable flavors turns into a everlasting addition to our snack household.”
Voting opened at 9 a.m. this morning on Herr’s competitors web page and closes on August 4. The profitable taste will probably be revealed on August 31.
There’s additionally a sweepstakes for voters, with eight reward baskets of snacks, merchandise and a $100 reward card up for grabs.
Keep tuned for the WHYY workplace’s annual unscientific style check, which has efficiently predicted the winner every year. Whereas everybody has already tried the chips up to now, they haven’t pitted these flavors towards one another. So who is aware of what totally different suggestions we’d get.
Certainly we are able to make it four-in-four!