Winners celebrate success in Innovation Challenge

lunch!’s Innovation Challenge Live! took advantage of its slight change of format this year to ensure visiting buyers got more of a taste of the action.  Designed to promote and celebrate genuinely new ideas in the market place, including brand new innovations and new twists on established concepts, the Innovation Challenge attracting over 60 entrants. 

The 15 short-listed finalists were invited to pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of industry judges (which included Franklyn Boltman, founder of independent sandwich bar Thanks for Franks, Neville Moon, head of food and beverage at Caffe Nero, and David Kitchener, managing director of Essential Café magazine) and the attending audience. 
 
The Innovation Challenge Live! Award recipients were as follows:
 
GOLD AWARD:
• Kokoa Collection Hot Chocolate – Kokoa Collection
• Flat Table Bases – FLAT
• CRC – Heat Recovery System – Dawson Foodservice Equipment
• Gourmet & Hot Wraps Using “More” Seasonings – Discovery Foods
• New Toasty Auto Grill – Toasty Products
• PortaTray™ – Tri-Star Packaging
• Toblerone Pastry – Delice de France
• Meringue Crumble – Pidy UK Limited
• Peppersmith Fresh Mints – Peppersmith
 
COMMENDED AWARD:
• Wholesome Pots – The Food Doctor
 

“lunch! continues to be our number one platform for launching innovative new products to the grab-and-go sector.  Tri-Star had a great show – lots of genuine interest and serious leads.  Winning Gold in the Innovation Challenge for PortaTray™ was the icing on the cake!  We’re already looking forward to exhibiting at the new venue next year”

Kevin Curran, Managing Director, Tri-Star Packaging