The Lake District could soon have its own unique brand of crisps... Kendal Mint Cake and Lakeland Lamb flavour.
Cumbria Tourism has suggested the quirky recipe to crisp giants Walkers as part of a Gary Lineker campaign to invent the next flavour of snacks. Another suggestions is for Cumberland Sausage and Damson Chutney.
Kendal mint cake is is a staple die
t for walkers in the Lake District who buy it as a supplement to keep energy levels up when scaling England's highest mountains.
Taking Kendal mint cake on expeditions was a trend started by famous explorer Sir Edmund Hillary who carried a batch on the first successful ascent of Everest in 1953, while Hollywood A-lister Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman packed it on their motorcycle road trip around the world.
A spokesman for the tourist board said: "The Lake District produces a diverse range of sweet and spicy food so we could offer several delicious lines of crisps. The competition is run by Walkers and we have plenty of them here so once they've had a packet – they can walk them off on the fells."
The Walker's judges will decide six new flavours and then put them on sale before deciding an overall winner.
Award-winning sheep breeder Caroline Watson, of Yew Tree Farm, Coniston, rears succulent Herdwick lamb, the sheep that roam freely on the Lake District hills.
Caroline said: "I love the idea of Herdwick crisps combined with Kendal mint cake because it is quirky twist on a classic combination and both are true Lakeland flavours. Food and tourism are a big part of a modern Cumbrian farmer's daily life, so if we had our own brand of crisps it would really help put us on the map."
Peter McCafferty, heads up Daniel Quiggin and Son, which has made mint cake in Kendal since 1880. He said: "We're all for it if Walkers want to produce it. While it's not something you associate with crisps – sweet and sour flavours like mint and lamb do work together well. I'd buy it!"
