A group of Loughry degree students have recently become finalists in a major UK food innovation contest,Ecotrophelia
Ecotrophelia is an EU-wide Dragon’s Den-style contest rewarding student teams who develop the best eco-innovative food products. The UK competition is organised jointly by the Institute of Food Science and Technology and Campden BRI and is open to teams of students from UK universities.
The Loughry team, led by BSc Food Management and Marketing student Nathan Crozier, entered the competition with their “Shake ‘n’ Spice” product. This snacking concept consists of bite-sized cooked chicken pieces accompanied by sweet chilli spice. The consumer adds the spice to the chicken; shakes and serves. Its chicken is sourced locally from quality- assured farms and the packaging is part recyclable, part re-useable.
The entry was shortlisted and invited to the UK final held in Gloucestershire. Following a presentation to a panel of judges that included senior industrialists from businesses including Sainsbury’s and Coca-Cola, the students were placed in the top five.
Crozier commented: “This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that none of us will forget. We’ve made some amazing contacts and shown that Loughry can compete with the best food universities in the UK.”
Loughry will be holding an open evening on Thursday 22 August. See www.cafre.ac.uk for further details.
Pictured from left: Tutor Donna Lyons, Loughry Campus, food degree students Nathan Crozier (Omagh), Anna-Mae Graham (Lisbellaw), Michelle Sherry (Ballygawley), Roberta Totten (Dungannon) and David Patterson (Omagh).
