ProVeg has announced the winners of its fifth annual Food Innovation Challenge, a competition that unites students from across the Asia-Pacific region with significant players in the food industry.
Innovative Winners
Taking the top prize is an inventive self-heating plant-based meal box crafted by students from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia and Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Featuring a flavorful combination of plant-based “Hanwoo beef,” rice, and vegetables, this meal box was developed for CJ Foods, a South Korean company.
The creators received a $3,000 award for their efforts in designing a sustainable and accessible alternative to Hanwoo beef, which is celebrated for its exceptional marbling.
- A team from Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia created a nutritious plant-based chocolate tailored for health-conscious women, collaborating with Mars.
- Students from the National University of Singapore developed a plant-based lamb product using duckweed, representing Beyond Meat in their entry.
- A joint effort between the University of Hohenheim in Germany and Ho Chi Minh University of Technology in Vietnam resulted in a delicious plant-based seafood sticky rice dish, crafted for Thai Union.
- From Jiangnan University in China, a team designed high-protein, 3D-printed plant-based octopus legs for CPF.
Sustainability and Local Ingredients
Many entries showcased local ingredients like mung beans, konjac, and rice bran, reflecting a commitment to sustainability while targeting emerging markets, particularly in the realm of plant-based lamb.
The students also put a creative twist on classic regional dishes, including Peking Duck and Dongpo Pork.
This year’s competition, which kicked off in September 2024, received an impressive 452 submissions from 151 universities.
The final round of judging took place on January 6, 2025, and entries were evaluated based on market appeal, originality, feasibility, and strategic entry plans.
Collaboration and Future Goals
The challenge has proven to be a successful platform for collaboration, bringing together students from various locations and promoting advancements in sustainable food innovations.
Prominent industry players, such as Unilever, Mars, Beyond Meat, CJ Foods, CPF, DaChan, Monde Nissin, and Thai Union, supported the event.
Shirley Lu, Managing Director of ProVeg Asia, highlighted the incredible creativity and commitment displayed by students globally during this year’s challenge.
She noted that it not only strengthens partnerships across continents but also propels progress towards inclusive and sustainable food systems, pointing to a shared goal of a greener, more innovative future in food.
Source: Vegconomist