Last night the annual World Food Innovation Awards, in association with FoodBev Media, took place at the International Food and Drink Event (IFE) in London.
The judging panel whittled down 380 entries from over 33 countries to just one winner in each of the 27 categories. There were multiple wins for Pulled Oumph! – a meat-free alternative to pulled pork – which took home three trophies, while Stixfresh and Garçon Wines each won two.
FoodBev Media senior marketing executive Matt Ferris said: “We are delighted to celebrate the fifth year of the annual World Food Innovation Awards at IFE. In a highly competitive year, we’ve been given a unique glimpse into the latest and greatest food industry innovations and have marvelled at the calibre of our entrants.
We’ve seen some key trends emerge as the industry continues to make inroads in sustainability, waste reduction, health and transparency. The prominence of plant-based products in our mainstream categories shows the continuing demand for flexitarian options. The World Food Innovation Awards really showcase some of the most ambitious new products and developments of the year from both new and established brands.”
FoodBev extends its congratulations to both finalists and winners, a full list of which can be found below.
Best artisan drink
Kolibri Drinks – Kolibri Drinks
Finalists
Bilson’s Brewery – small batch sodas Belvoir Fruit Farms – botanical juniper & tonic
Best artisan food
Borna Foods – Pistachio Butters
Armatore – Anchovy extract Cottage Delight – strawberry daiquiri whole fruit jam Fire Grain – Freekeh Longbottom & Co. – hot sauce
Best brand extension/limited edition
Armatore – Anchovy extract – Ceramic bottle
Absolut and Ardagh Group – Absolut Drop Brownes Dairy – Top Down Natural Yoghurt Family Foods – MGO manuka honey drops
Best brand/business
Cowan London – Billson’s Brewery
Dammenberg – The Adventures of Moomin chocolate bar range EauLab – Next Generation Water Kolibri Drinks – Kolibri Drinks
Best children’s product
Chobani – Chobani Gimmies
Blendi – Blendi Snacks Chewy Moon – Chewy Moon PLAYin CHOC – PLAYin CHOC kids
Best confectionery innovation
Montrose Chocolate – Benefit Chocolate
PLAYin CHOC – PLAYin CHOC kids Fudge Kitchen – Lemongrass & chilli peanut brittle
Best convenience food
Huel – Huel ready-to-drink complete meal
Bio-tiful Dairy – Cacao kefir smoothie The Brook – Vegan ready meals Fazer – Froosh Smoothie Bowl Nim’s Fruit Crisps – 100% air-dried watermelon crisps Re:Nourish – Re:Nourish Slice of Sauce – Classic ketchup TEA-POP – TEA-POP
Best convenience packaging
DOZO Tea – DOZO Tea Matcha
Brownes Dairy – Top Down Natural Yoghurt KAMBLE GROUP INNOVATIONS – Kamble’s Grab Cup
Best drink concept
Captivate – Flavouring the Refill Revolution
DOZO Tea – DOZO Tea Matcha EauLab – Next Generation Water Timeless Drinks Ventures – NINE ELMS No18 Wine Water – O.Vine Xachoh – Blend No. 5 & Blend No. 7 non-alcoholic spirits
Best food concept
ALDI – Mama Cozzi Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Fazer – Froosh Smoothie Bowl Frutorka Italia – Frutteto Hubei Bestore Industries – Black Sesame and Mulberry Powder Qwrkee – EverSoQwrkee Plant Based Pea M’LK S&P Industries Sdn Bhd – Kerra Coconut Spread
Best food-service/catering product
Food for Progress – Pulled Oumph!
Avocado Grinfeld – Frozen pure avocado Willaroos – Jackfruit pepperoni
Best ‘free-from’ product
Dolfin (UK) Ltd – Full Of Beans Snacks
ALDI – Simply Nature 100% avocado oil Hunter & Gather Foods – Mayocado Ice Crime – Mini Sticks 0% added sugar Unbun Foods – Original Unbun Yofix – Clean-label, dairy-free yogurt alternatives
Best frozen food
Oatlaws – Protein Oatscream
ALDI – Sundae Shoppe Protein Pints Ice Crime – Mini Sticks 70% less sugar
Best Great British product
Hunter & Gather Foods – Classic avocado oil mayonnaise
Atkins and Potts – Inspired vegan horseradish sauce Radnor Preserves – Hand-cut pink gin marmalade
Best health/wellness drink
Botanic Lab – Cannabidiol
Buckwheat Healthcare Products – Nutraceutical buckwheat nutrition drink EauLab – Gut support water Nim’s Fruit Crisps – Nim’s Edible Teas UPBEAT Brands Ltd – Juicy protein water Willy’s ACV – Willy’s naturally fermented energy drink
Best health/wellness food
Bio-tiful Dairy – Original kefir-quark
Chomptown – Protein cookies Fire Grain – Freekeh Huel – Huel mint chocolate powder Pulsin Vitality Blend Supershake – Vanilla matcha flavour EverSoQwrkee – Plant-based probiotic puffs – vegan cheese Re:Nourish – Re:Nourish Unbun Foods – Original Unbun
Best ingredient
Comet Bio – Sustainable dietary fiber and sweeteners
ALDI – Simply Nature organic bean pasta Novo Farina – Gluten-free pea flour Nutrition Innovation Singapore – Nucane Life PLT Health Solutions – Artesa chickpea protein
Best manufacturing or processing technology
Amyris – No Compromise Sweetness
Kamble Group Innovations – Freeze-dried sugarcane juice OAL – APRIL Eye
Best marketing/engagement campaign
Jellybean Creative Solutions for Porky Whites – SAUSIES Awards
InnerMongolia Yili Industrial Group – Ambrosial Ornua Foods North America – Kerrygold USA – ‘Music Behind the Recipes’ campaign
Best organic product
PLAYin CHOC – PLAYin CHOC kids
ALDI – Simply Nature organic coconut oil Dammenberg – 79 % Criollo dark chocolate with strawberry & blackberry
Best packaging design
Garçon Wines – innovative, eco-friendly flat wine bottle
Cowan London – Billson’s small-batch sodas Lost Sheep Coffee – Lost Sheep Coffee Lotus UK – LEAP Wild Salmon Pemberton & Whitefoord – Switchle UPBEAT Brands – Juicy Protein Water
Best packaging technology
StixFresh USA – StixFresh
O-I – EXPRESSIONS Soggy Food Sucks – Crunch Patch
Best plant-based product
ALDI – Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs Freaks of Nature – Dairy & gluten-free chocolate fudge hot pudding Gato – Pudding range Oatlaws – Oat chocolate protein pudding EverSoQwrkee – Plant based Pea M’LK Willaroos – Jackfruit pepperoni Yofix – Clean-label, plant-based yogurt alternatives
Best snack innovation
Plant Pops – Popped Lotus Seeds
BEPPS – BEPPS snacks Chobani – Chobani Gimmies Chomptown – Protein cookies Dealing BG – Shiitake crisps The Protein Ball Co – Apple and blueberry breakfast balls ThreeWorks Snacks – ThreeWorks Apple Chips Yaar Bars – Vanilla Yaar Bar
Best street food brand
Dyfferent – Cauliflower rice with Peruvian seasoning TSC Foods – Glorious! Street Food soups
Best sustainability initiative
StixFresh USA – Stixfresh
Captivate – Flavouring the Refill Revolution FoodMaven – Distribution Model PT Golden Hope Nusantara – Sustainability initiatives
Best sustainable packaging
Garçon Wines – flat, sustainable wine bottle with game-changing transit case
Absolut and Ardagh Group – Absolut Drop DS Smith Plastics – Fillbee Stixfresh USA – Stixfresh The One Brand – One Less Bottle Carton
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2023
