Student teams from Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of Nottingham, PepsiCo and Leeds Trinity University will go on to compete at the Ecotrophelia UK event, which takes place at June 2 at Campden BRI’s with the winner announced at the research body’s open day on June 3.
This year’s shortlisted entries, selected by a panel of new product development experts, marked the most entries ever received for the competition.
The teams will pitch their ideas to the ‘dragons’ – a distinguished panel of food experts including representatives from Marks & Spencer, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Tesco, Sainsbury, Warburtons and Food Manufacture editor Rick Pendrous. They will be competing for £3,500 in prize money and the chance to represent the UK at Ecotrophelia Europe in Milan on October 6.
The five finalists and their products are: Cardiff Metropolitan University – Kays, a paprika flavour savoury baked snack made with banana peel and wholemeal flour, high in fibre and potassium; University of Nottingham – Duffles, an eco-friendly, healthy alternative to chocolate truffles, which can be consumed both cold and warm; University of Nottingham – Cauliflower-style rice, comprising 100% cauliflower, shredded and packed into a recycled pot; PepsiCo placement students – Medeina cocoa, coconut, raisin & seed bites, rolled in freeze-dried fruit and desiccated coconut; and Leeds Trinity University – Seafood linguine, a high-protein ready meal using cricket flour and sustainable fish.
Last year’s winner of the Ecotrophelia UK competition was the Gastronommies team from Harper Adams, which was presented with the £2,000 gold prize for its Beri Bar by Ian Noble, senior director for breakthrough foods with PepsiCo (see picture above).