Seven teams have made it to this year’s UK final of Ecotrophelia, which will see university students creating and pitching new food products to a panel of industry judges.
Organised by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and Campden BRI, the competition promotes environmentally and socially sustainable product design, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The teams are in with a chance of winning £2,000 and a year’s free IFST membership; the winner will also go on to the European final, where they will compete with students from across the globe.
Mentorship will be provided by members of the UK judging panel as they embark on the next stage, with the grand prize of €4,000 .
The UK judges include senior team members from The Magnum Ice Cream Company, Pepsi Lipton/Unilever, Tesco, PepsiCo, Sainsbury’s, Nestlé, Weetabix, Warburtons, Cranswick, Pladis Coca Cola, Mondelez, IFST, and Campden BRI.
This year’s UK finalists are:
- BrewsGate - Teesside University
- CapyPancakes – University of Leeds
- Fibran – University of Surrey
- IndulgeCo – University of Reading
- Luna SFere – University of Reading
- ReHive – University of Nottingham
- Spent and Spicy - University of Nottingham
The 2026 UK final will take place at Gastronomica, Colworth Science Park (part of Pioneer Group) near Bedford on 24 June 2026.
Dr Craig Leadley, chief executive of IFST commented: “Congratulations to all seven finalists. The creativity and ambition on display this year is a testament to the incredible talent coming through UK food science programmes. Ecotrophelia has always been about more than competition; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of food innovators, and seeing students take bold ideas from concept to pitch is exactly what the industry needs.
“With sustainability at the heart of every entry, these teams are already thinking like the food leaders of tomorrow, and we look forward to welcoming them to Colworth in June.”
Now in its 14th year, Ecotrophelia launched in the UK in 2013 to foster competition and innovation in R&D and sustainability in the food sector. It continues to develop the next generation of food industry leaders and acts as an incubator for business ideas.
Since its inception, Ecotrophelia UK has received more than 160 entries, involving 650+ students from 25 different universities across the UK.
Last year saw Oat N’ About from the University of Leeds snap up the UK prize for their low sugar, high fibre and high protein overnight oat pot. Although the team did not make the European podium, they were awarded with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.