Chicken and waffles on a chip could be worth $1 million for Brookfield native

Some people enjoy the combination of chicken and waffles on a plate.

Christina Abu-Judom wants you to enjoy the combination on a chip.

The Brookfield native who now lives in Phoenix won $50,000 and a spot as a finalist in the Frito-Lay Do Us a Flavor contest last week.

"It's just something you don't ever think will happen to you," Abu-Judom said.

Her rival flavor contestants are a Wisconsin woman who came up with cheesy garlic bread chips and an Illinois man who submitted the idea for a spicy sriracha flavor, a hot sauce from Thailand.

A dozen submissions

She submitted more than 30 ideas, some less exotic, like basil, cucumber yogurt and spicy calamari.

"My nephew told me about the contest," Abu-Judom said. "I just started submitting combinations of things that I like to eat. I was having a ball."

But chicken and waffles was the winning pitch.

"My family loves chicken and waffles, so that's why I dedicated that combination to them," Abu-Judom said. "I stole a bite of my nephew's waffle once and he wouldn't let me live it down."

She said she videotaped telling her family the news.

"When I sat them down, they thought I was going to tell them I was pregnant," Abu-Judom laughed. "When I told them the news they were so excited, screaming and everything."

Elmbrook ties

Abu-Judom grew up in Brookfield. She graduated from Brookfield East High School.

"I'm a Spartans girl at heart," she said. "I was so fortunate to grow up in Brookfield."

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Abu-Judom worked for the Girl Scouts of Milwaukee for five years before moving to Phoenix.

Abu-Judom's and the other finalists' creations already are on store shelves.

When the chips fall, she hopes to take the $1 million prize with her.

How to vote

Votes are counted on three platforms: Lay's Facebook page at Facebook.com/Lays; Twitter, by using hashtag #SaveGarlicBread, #SaveChickenWaffles or #SaveSriracha; or by texting "VOTE" to 24477.

Voting ends May 4.

The grand-prize winner wins $1 million dollars or one percent of their chip's 2013 net sales, whichever is greater.