At the 2017 Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY, Zapp’s New Orleans Kettle Style Mesquite Bar-B-Que was crowned “Grand Champion” by a panel of judges led by Brendan R. Walsh, Dean of Culinary Education at the Culinary Institute of America. While only in its second year, the Chip Festival draws makers both large and small to the alleged birthplace of the potato chip to show off their fried potato products.
Louisiana-based Zapp’s kettle-fries its chips in peanut oil, rather than vegetable oil, for richer flavor and a crisper bite. Its Voodoo chip — a sweetly spiced, salty, vinegar flavor with a cultish following — was named runner-up in the “Anything Goes” category. See full results here.
More Best-in-Class Chips from the 2017 Chip Festival
Best Plain Chip: One Potato Two Potato Naked Sea Salt
Best Kettle Chip: Herr’s Kettle Cooked Jalapeno
Best Cream and/or Dairy Flavored Chip: Herr’s Sour Cream and Onion
Best Spice and/or Salt Flavored Chip: Ballreich Salt and Vinegar
Best “Anything Goes” Chip: One Potato Two Potato Root Fusion
People’s Choice Award: Saratoga Chips
