After a year of debate, which sparked much discussion online, Walkers wanted to decide once and for all: should sandwiches be eaten with crisps IN, or OUT? More than 1,500 residents of Sandwich in Kent turned out to vote this weekend - equating to over a third (34%) of the town’s residents, meaning one in every three people voted - Sandwich has spoken: the answer is Crisp IN.
The vote rounds up weeks of fierce campaigning which included the release of
, featuring the likes of Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsay, Ed Balls and hosted by Munya Chawawa. Sunday’s vote was spearheaded by ‘Crisp IN’ Party Leader, Gemma Collins, and ‘Crisp OUT’ champion, Fred Sirieix who joined forces with Walkers to take over the town of Sandwich for the all-important decision.
And a lot was at stake, as the town’s mayor had promised the honorary Presidency of Sandwich to the winning party, as well as considering a potential byelaw to ban the consumption of crisps out of sandwiches in Sandwich on 19 June for evermore.
After a day of crisp-fuelled antics, which saw Fred and Gemma proceeding through the town on potato tractors to rally up supporters, and Gary Lineker leading the proceedings on top of an open air bus, the final votes were counted, with team Crisp IN victorious. It is now official – crisps belong IN your lunchtime sandwich, not out.
Walkers decided to hold the vote after its crisp sandwich campaign last year sparked an ongoing debate about how the iconic crisps and sandwich duo should be eaten, with Walkers even launching crisp sandwiches in Subway for the first time.
According to the brand’s data, 2.3 billion crisp sandwiches are consumed in Britain each year, equating to up 35 crisp sarnies each year per UK adult, or 1-2 a month. When it comes to the preferred combination, a cheese sandwich on white bread, with ready salted crisps was revealed to be the UK’s top crisp sandwich of choice.
Gemma Collins, Crisp IN party leader, said: “This is the biggest and best accolade I’ve ever won in my life – I’m coming to Sandwich every year from now on. I’m the Sandwich president now hunnies! At first, I said I ain’t getting involved, but how can I not? I knew that the people of Sandwich would make the right decision – and that’s crisp IN, hunnies! The GC was born to be president, and I can’t think of a town I’d rather rule over. Think I’ll treat myself to my favourite combo – that’s Cheese & Onion crisps with salad cream on white bread – to celebrate!”
Fred Sirieix, Crisp OUT party leader, said: “I’m a purist and believe sandwiches are sacred – you don’t mix wine & water, so don’t mix crisps and sandwiches! But the people of sandwich have spoken, and the verdict is that crisps belong IN sandwiches. I guess rules are meant to be broken, so I’m off to treat myself to my first-ever crisp sandwich to honour the result!”
Gary Lineker, Walkers frontman, said: “I’m team #CrispIN all the way! As a lot of people know, I’m a lifelong advocate of crisps and for me there’s no better way to enjoy them than between two slices of bread. Armed with my clear favourite flavour, Salt & Vinegar crisps in a roast chicken sandwich makes for a formidable partnership!”
Charlene Worthington, a 35-year-old local resident and teacher, said: “There’s something happening every week here in Sandwich, but this has definitely been the highlight of the year so far – to have Gemma Collins and Fred here has been absolutely fantastic. I was originally Crisp In, but I got pulled into the Crisp Out parade. I did still vote with my heart though – it can only ever be crisp in; a sandwich isn’t a sandwich without a bit of crunch.”
Rachael Smith at Walkers said: “We know that a sandwich and a bag of Walkers crisps is a British lunchtime staple. But after research last year revealed the nation was split on whether crisps belong in a sandwich or on the side, we felt it was only fitting to call in the sandwich experts of Britain – the residents of Sandwich itself – to settle the debate on behalf of the nation once and for all.
“The Big Sandwich Vote was all about revelling in the CrispIN, CrispOUT controversy, and encouraging some light-hearted debate to make the nation smile after a tough few years. We’re just glad we can bring crisp lovers back together, so they finally enjoy lunchtimes with confidence knowing that they are eating the ionic combination of sandwich and crisps in the right way.”
