SVWC11

Greetings S&V Fans!


We are starting to plan the Salt & Vinegar World Cup 2011! There is a new website, which you can find here: http://svwc2011.blogspot.com/

The Final - Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Testers for this match: Rachel, Toni, Darren

After three months and 31 matches, the title of World Champion Salt & Vinegar Snack 2009 would be decided in this crunch-off. The consistent (and recently deemed to be a cake, not a crisp) Pringles had gone one round further than in 2007, when they fell victim to that year’s eventual champions, Seabrooks. Their opponents were Herr’s, all the way from Pennsylvania, and taking part in their first ever SVWC.

A crack team of testers was assembled, given the regular pre-match instructions and pep-talk, and then the lids were off! And, in the same way that major football tournament finals are often disappointing, the SVWC09 Final was one-way traffic. Herr’s absolutely blitzed poor old Pringles, out-scoring them in every single category. An awesome victory for the American newcomers. Good job, chip dudes!

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 13
Size & Appearance 12
Aroma 12
More-ish-ness 13

Pringles Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 11
Flavour 10
Size & Appearance 11
Aroma 10
More-ish-ness 10

Result

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar 63 : 52 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Third And Fourth Place Play-Off - Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Testers for this match (left to right): Rachel, Toni, Darren (Scottish George behind)

The match to decide the minor placings of SVWC09. Two S&V snacks with different aspirations….The Squares will feel very happy to have reached this stage, whereas Real McCoys will be very disappointed not to reach the Final again, as they did in 2007. McCoys saw off Kettle Chips in the semi-finals of 2007, but with Kettle Chips having departed the contest ignominiously to Co-op’s own brand in Round Two would they have an easier passage to the Final?

In the end, no. They were pipped by Pringles. As for Walkers Squares, what an achievement. Of the three Walkers runners, Squares went the furthest. OK, they lost a semi-final against Herr’s, but in 2007 they fell at the first hurdle (ironically, to Pringles). So, who would take the consolation third spot? It was Real McCoys, adding a third place to their second in 2007.…always the bridesmaid? Congratulations to both snacks, see you again in 2011.

Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 9
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 10
More-ish-ness 12

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 11
Size & Appearance 11
Aroma 11
More-ish-ness 11

Result

Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar 54 : 57 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Poll Result - Who Will Win The Final?

The unwashed have spoken:


Herr's - 66%


Pringles - 33%



Are they right?

Final Postponed!

The Final of SVWC09 has been postponed by one week.

It will now take place on Monday 8th June, starting at 6pm.


This is due to circumstances beyond our control….

….OK, it’s because the Organiser’s five-year-old son is receiving his first martial arts white belt at 6pm tonight, Monday the 1st. Some things are more important than S&V snacks….

Semi Final Two - Pringles Salt & Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Tasters for this match: Jemma, Steve, Emma

Could the Real McCoys reach a second consecutive SVWC Final? Or would Pringles finally win a Semi after falling at the same stage in 2007 to eventual champions, Seabrooks? In a close encounter McCoys outscored their opponent on crispness only, so the writing was on the wall. Pringles progress, to meet Herr’s In the Final.

Pringles Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 9
Flavour 14
Size & Appearance 14
Aroma 12
More-ish-ness 13

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar
Crispness 14
Flavour 11
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 11
More-ish-ness 12

Result

Pringles Salt & Vinegar 62 : 58 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar


Semi-Finals (25 May)

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar 51 : 43 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

Pringles Salt & Vinegar 62 : 58 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Third & Fourth Place Play-Off (1 June)

Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Final (1 June)

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Semi Final One - Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar v Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match (left to right): Jemma, Steve, Emma

The first of the Semi-Finals, and possibly the first ever overseas finalist. Nobody can fault the Squares for their crispness, they’ve scored heavily through the competition on this category, but they need more than a good crunch to become one of the top two salt & vinegar snack products in the world. The American Herr’s progressed serenely, by a comfortable eight point margin, and will represent our friends from across the ocean in next Monday’s Final.

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 13
Size & Appearance 8
Aroma 10
More-ish-ness 7

Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 15
Flavour 8
Size & Appearance 6
Aroma 7
More-ish-ness 7

Result

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar 51 : 43 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

SVWC09 Winner - Poll Result

The votes are in, and ahead of the Semi-Finals tomorrow, the feeling among the general public is:


Who will win SVWC09?


Herr's - 41%

Real McCoys - 32%

Pringles - 17%

Walkers Squares - 10%

Semi-Final Draw!

The Semi-Final draw has been made....

The following matches will take place on Monday, 25th May:



Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar v Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar


Pringles Salt & Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Poll Result - Who Will Win SVWC09

This pre-quarter-final poll saw a clear favourite emerge....sadly that clear favourite was beaten by a S&V snack that nobody voted for!

Full results of the "Who Will Win SVWC09" poll (taken before the quarter-finals):

Walkers - 40%

Real McCoys - 20%

Pipers - 10%
Pringles - 10%
Golden Sun - 10%
Herr's - 10%

Walkers Squares - 0%
Co-op - 0%

Quarter Final 4 - Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut v Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match: Andy Fish, Jemma, Amy

The Quarter-Finals closed with another close contest. Surprise package Golden Sun (actually Lidl’s own brand) have made a terrific challenge in SVWC09, would they be able to take it one step further? Their opponent’s - Herr’s of Pennsylvania - are the sole remaining American contenders, and progress to the Semi-Finals would mean they were the best American entry of 2009. Both crisps were extremely crisp - sounds ridiculous but we’ve seen some horribly soggy efforts in the earlier rounds - Golden Sun won on the Size & Appearance, but Herr’s incredible Aroma (described as the perfect S&V smell) won the day. Very close, but Herr’s go through. One in four of the World’s Best Salt & Vinegar Snacks are now officially from the other side of the Atlantic.

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut
Crispness 14
Flavour 8
Size & Appearance 13
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 10

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 14
Flavour 9
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 13
More-ish-ness 9

Result

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut 53 : 55 Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar

Fixtures

Round Three - Quarter-Finals

4 May

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar 42 : 51 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Walkers Salt & Vinegar 50 : 56 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

11 May

Co-op Salt & Vinegar 46 : 51 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut 53 : 55 Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar

Semi-Final Draw (18 May)


Semi-Finals (25 May)

TBN


Third & Fourth Place Play-Off (1 June)

TBN


Final (1 June)

TBN

Quarter Final 3 - Co-op Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match (left to right): Andy Fish, Jemma, Amy

Pringles march into the Semi-Finals for the second World Cup running. This victory over Co-op’s own brand was a close-run thing, with the supermarket crisp outscoring the Pringles for Crispness and Flavour. It would have been plain sailing had the Co-op crisps not been generally smaller, broken, and less appealing to the eye. Pringles outscored them by a massive 8 points in this category, ensuring the win. Pringles lost in the Semis in 2007 to eventual winners, Seabrooks - who will they meet this time?

Co-op Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 11
Size & Appearance 5
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 9

Pringles Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 11
Flavour 8
Size & Appearance 13
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 11

Result

Co-op Salt & Vinegar 46 : 51 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Our President - Another Apology

We regret to admit that we have got it wrong - again. Big Paul in the Graphics Department has been sacked with immediate effect.

I have repeatedly tried to furnish you with a photograph of the SVWC09 President, top DJ Simon Rowe.

We tried HERE

And again HERE


And most recently HERE


All three links contained photographs that were obviously NOT Mister Rowe - one was female! - so I can only apologise unreservedly, yet again.

At last, for your viewing delight, HERE is El Presidente:

SVWC09 Hits The Financial Times

Who's have thought it? Our crazy tournament has hit the press again, this time featuring in the Financial Times.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc94d09a-39d7-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1



Amazing....

Popchips Bow Out Gracefully

Our American friends at Popchips have sent a lovely message to SVWC09 HQ following their exit from the tournament in an exciting replay against Pringles:

"hi

first of all, thanks so much for inviting popchips to participate in the 2009 world cup tasting. we were thrilled to be considered let alone get a chance to beat the waitrose crisp and come to a draw with pringles.

heck, who'd have thought a popped chip (err crisp) with less than half the fat and a lot fewer calories (not to mention no saturated fat) could compete head-to-head on taste, crispiness and aroma with crisps that have all that extra fat & calories. but that’s the magic of popping . . . flavorful, crispy and better-for-you.

and if that “moreishness” category only had even a bit to do with "better-for-you'ishness", we’d have really surprised a few people.

thanks again for inviting an American upstart along (and appreciated your sentiment that you actually preferred popchips!). we look forward to joining in again next year.

until then …. happy snacking!

keith"

What nice people! Of course it should be us saying thanks to Popchips for taking part and being such good sports about the whole daft competition, so "THANKS POPCHIP DUDES!"

See you in 2010 for the cheese & onion cup!

Quarter Final - Walkers Salt & Vinegar v Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match: Andy Fish, Emma Lowesey, Scottish George

The second Quarter-Final gave us a Walkers local derby, with Squares taking on the mainstream crisps, thus ensuring that the UK‘s biggest crisp maker had a presence in the final four. Despite a superior flavour, the crisps were beaten in every other category by Ver Squares. The testers decided amongst themselves, before finding out the truth, that this sample was definitely not Walkers! After exiting in Round One in 2007, Walkers Squares are enjoying a superb run! Squares win!

Walkers Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 9
Flavour 12
Size & Appearance 9
Aroma 10
More-ish-ness 10

Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 11
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 11
More-ish-ness 11


Result

Walkers Salt & Vinegar 50 : 56 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar


Fixtures

Round Three

4 May

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar 42 : 51 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Walkers Salt & Vinegar 50 : 56 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

11 May

Co-op Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut v Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar


Semi-Final Draw (18 May)

Quarter Final - Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Tasters for this match (left to right): Andy Fish, Emma Lowesey, Scottish George

And so we go into the latter stages of SVWC09. The first quarter-final saw promising upstarts Pipers taking on 2007 finalists, Real McCoys. Could the new boys keep up their impressive progress? Or would experienced McCoys despatch them? The latter proved true. Both snacks were splendidly crisp, but Real McCoys were judged as tastier, with a slightly better aroma. And, thanks to these small differences, Real McCoys won through and now await a fresh opponent in the Semi-Finals. Congratulations to Pipers on a splendid campaign, especially as they were making their debut. McCoys have never failed to make it through to the Semi-Finals - this year is no different.

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 5
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 6

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 9
Size & Appearance 10
Aroma 10
More-ish-ness 9

Result

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar 42 : 51 The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Quarter Final Draw!

The full draw for the Quarter Finals is as follows:

4 May

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Walkers Salt & Vinegar v Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar


11 May

Co-op Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut v Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar


18 May - Semi-Final Draw at The Woolpack

Round Two Replay - Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match: Deano, Digit, Les The Duck

Monday saw Salt & Vinegar World Cup history, with the first ever drawn match, and this historic First Replay was the result. With a different set of testers from the original tie, expectations in The Woolpack were high….The snacks were sniffed, licked, scoffed and judged….and the result was incredibly close. There was just one point in it…..but Pringles win through to the Quarter Finals and a meeting with Co-op Salt & Vinegar. Commiserations to our first American casualty Popchips, you performed well and upheld your nation’s flag with pride. If I had my choice, Popchips would have won this match, as I prefer them to the Pringles, but our panel-based results system says otherwise. Pringles go through!

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 13
Flavour 9
Size & Appearance 9
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 9

Pringles Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 11
Flavour 9
Size & Appearance 12
Aroma 7
More-ish-ness 10

Result

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar 48 : 49 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Fixtures

Round Two

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar 57 : 41 Pringles Rice Infusions Salt & Vinegar

Gilroys Salt & Vinegar 30 : 57 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

Kettle Chips Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar 39 : 41 Co-op Salt & Vinegar

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar 46 : 45 Seabrook’s Sea Salt & Vinegar

Walkers Baked Salt & Vinegar 52 : 63 Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut

Walkers Salt & Vinegar 54 : 40 Sainsbury’s Salt & Vinegar

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar 48 : 28 Tyrrells Cider Vinegar & Sea Salt

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar 43 : 43 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Round Two Replay

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar 48 : 49 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Round Two - Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar v Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Tasters for this match: Andy Fish, Jemma, Tess Tickle

Popchips versus Pringles. A new pretender to the DVD-night crown against the established British incumbent. Popchips are very tasty, and apparently healthy too - would this be enough to dispatch many people’s favourites, Pringles? Well, we still don’t know. The match was a draw. Americans are well known for ridiculing European sport’s acceptance of drawn matches, and the low scoring of such encounters. But how does a 43-all draw grab ya?! The testers were unable to separate these snacks, so there will be a replay on Thursday. If that is a draw as well, we go to penalties. Thank god Germany doesn’t have a representative.

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 10
Flavour 6
Size & Appearance 9
Aroma 11
More-ish-ness 7

Pringles Salt & Vinegar
Crispness 8
Flavour 6
Size & Appearance 13
Aroma 8
More-ish-ness 8

Result

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar 43 : 43 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Fixtures

Round Two

Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar 57 : 41 Pringles Rice Infusions Salt & Vinegar

Gilroys Salt & Vinegar 30 : 57 Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

Kettle Chips Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar 39 : 41 Co-op Salt & Vinegar

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar 46 : 45 Seabrook’s Sea Salt & Vinegar

Walkers Baked Salt & Vinegar 52 : 63 Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut

Walkers Salt & Vinegar 54 : 40 Sainsbury’s Salt & Vinegar

The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar 48 : 28 Tyrrells Cider Vinegar & Sea Salt

Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar 43 : 43 Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Round Three

4 May

Pipers Sea Salt & Somerset Cider Vinegar v The Real McCoy’s Ridge Cut Salt & Malt Vinegar

Walkers Salt & Vinegar v Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar

11 May

Co-op Salt & Vinegar v Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar OR Pringles Salt & Vinegar

Golden Sun Extra Thick Salt & Malt Vinegar Crinkle Cut v Herr’s Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar

18 May - Semi-Final Draw at The Woolpack