Lydia Houghton 'had no idea' the flavour would be such a hit
Lydia Houghton, 54, 'accidentally' invented 'Scouse' flavoured crisps(Image: Lydia Houghton)
A mum-of-two who accidentally created a "Scouse" crisp flavour has been hailed a "hero" after the city got behind her bid to win £500,000. Lydia Houghton, 54, from Malmesbury in Wiltshire, entered a competition on TikTok in January to invent a new Walker's crisp flavour, never expecting her idea to go any further.
But her Salt and Pepper Chicken flavour has now made it into shops and is one of just two flavours battling it out to become a permanent member of the Walker's range. And Lydia has discovered that her choice has struck a particular chord in Liverpool, where salt and pepper chicken is a hugely popular dish.
She told the ECHO: "My life has gone from really boring to really exciting in the space of three weeks. I just invented a flavour thinking nothing of it. I didn’t expect anything to happen.
Lydia, who said she chose salt and pepper chicken because it is a firm favourite with her family, added: "When we go to the Chinese takeaway, we always look at the great big menu and end up choosing salt and pepper chicken every time.
"But somehow, I've managed to end up in the final two and my Walker's crisps are now in production in the shops.
"Bizarrely, Liverpool have really got behind me. I didn’t know at the time that salt and pepper chicken flavour is a signature dish in Liverpool.
"I've accidentally become a Scouse hero."
Lydia has received messages from people across Liverpool telling her she has created "Scouse flavour crisps", while others have dubbed her the "Queen of crisps".
She has even been out and about around her hometown in a chicken costume in a bid to persuade more people to give her creation a try.
"I wanted to say thank you to Liverpool for getting behind me," she said. "It's totally unexpected but really flattering and hilarious at the same time.
"I've already learned a lot of Scouse phrases – people keep telling me the flavour is 'proper boss' and 'good old Scouse scran'."
And Lydia's Liverpool connection goes beyond Scouse flavoured crisps. Her grandad was from Liverpool and owned the former Knotty Ash pub on East Prescot Road throughout the 1940s.
Sadly, Lydia never got the chance to meet him as she was born after he died.
She said: "I like to think he's somewhere up there smiling about it all, proud that Liverpool is backing his granddaughter."
Lydia recently visited the Walkers factory in Leicester, where she watched her unusual creation being made. She said seeing the crisps being produced was an unforgettable experience. During her visit, Lydia also met some familiar faces, including celebrity chef Phil Vickery and social media influencer GK Barry.
But there is still plenty at stake. Lydia's Salt and Pepper Chicken flavour is competing against a Grilled Cheese and Chilli Jam flavour, with the flavour that sells the most before November 30 set to become a permanent addition to the Walker's range.
Lydia is taking nothing for granted, she joked: "I'm not counting my salt and pepper chickens before they hatch.
"It's one of those flavours that some people really like and others really dislike. It's quite divisive."
The competition also comes with a potentially life-changing prize of up to £500,000. For Lydia, who is getting married next year, the prospect of winning the huge sum is difficult to imagine.
She said: "Having half a million pounds is definitely out of my comfort zone. But I could try to get used to it.
"I'm getting married next year so the budget is either going to be very small or very large. I've also got two grown-up children who I’d like to give a bit of a head start to in life."
But for now, Lydia is trying not to get too carried away with the prospect of winning. She added: "I’m trying not to think about it too hard because I don’t want to get emotionally attached to the money.
"Whatever happens, it's been lots of fun, and having the backing of Liverpool has really tickled me; it’s been hilarious."
