A chance for bright sparks in food science and technology
The UK heat of Ecotrophelia 2014, organised by the Institute of Food Science & Technology in conjunction with Campden BRI innovation, follows the UK's debut in the competition in 2013.
Last year a team of students from Harper Adams University struck gold in the UK finals with their ‘More Than Meat’ offal pie. They went on to represent the UK at the Ecotrophelia Europe finals, held at the Anuga international food trade show in Cologne.
Innovative, eco-friendly food products
The annual event challenges students to develop innovative, eco-friendly food products to win a share of a prize pot of up to euro15,000. Ecotrophelia is backed by the European Commission and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), as well as brands such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and Sainsbury.
With a ‘Dragons’ Den-style’ format, the UK heat is open to students from UK universities. This year, teams will vie for a £2,000 top prize and the opportunity to enter the European finals, held at the Sial food trade show in Paris from October 19 to 23. The winning UK team will compete with finalists from 20 participating countries.
This year’s UK ‘dragons’, include experts from Sainsbury, DEFRA, PepsiCo, Warburtons, Coca-Cola and Genius, as well as Food Manufacture editor Rick Pendrous. The event will be at Campden BRI’s Chipping Campden site on June 10 2014, where short-listed teams will pitch to the judges. The winning team will be announced on June 11 at Campden BRI’s open day.
Practical key skills
Bertrand Emond, head of membership and training at Campden BRI, said: “This kind of experience is absolutely invaluable; a chance to participate in a ‘real-life’ food innovation and development process and gain practical key skills that you just wouldn’t get out of a text book and which you can then apply in your future career.”
The closing date is March 21. For details visit www.ecotrophelia-uk.org, call 01386 842104 or email genvavat@pnzcqra.pb.hx .
