Students’ amazing array of creative food

Dr Quan Vuong with all the graduating students who took part in the expo.

Graduating Food Science and Human Nutrition students from The University of Newcastle displayed a remarkable array of innovative food creations at a recent expo held at Ourimbah campus.

The expo, sponsored by Sanitarium, was the culmination of a project that saw students create, produce and market six different food offerings under the banner of Food for Health and Wellbeing in just 10 weeks.

These included the Quinoa Cluster, Date Delight, Oatful, Puzzles, Native Bites, and Core Nourish.

Head of Discipline Dr Quan Vuong said the offerings were testament to the students’ dedication to health-centric gastronomy.

“At the heart of enhancing personal wellbeing and fostering thriving communities lies the pivotal role of nutrition,” he said.

“Crafting nourishing products that prioritise health not only empowers individuals but also leaves a positive footprint on communities, the environment, and the economy.

“It signals an era of sustainable, comprehensive food production and consumption, ushering in a society that’s healthier, happier, and economically vibrant.”

The innovative creations were unveiled at the expo to a diverse audience of more than 100, including staff, students, and influential figures from the food industry.

Recognising excellence, the Puzzles team was honoured with the coveted title of the Most Innovative by Sanitarium, while Oatful was bestowed with the People’s Choice award.

“This event beautifully underscores the incredible talent and expertise of our students and highlights the robust collaboration between The University of Newcastle and the dynamic world of food industry,” Vuong said.

Quinoa Cluster, available in delightful flavours like chocolate and mocha, almond, and spicy chili, emerges as a wholesome snack.

The Date Delight is a gluten-free, fibre-rich slice with reduced sugar content that tantalises tastebuds and Oatful is a sumptuous frozen dessert crafted from oat milk, perfect for a dairy-free delight.

Puzzles are unique snacks hailing from oat milk by-products, boasting a bold kimchi flavour profile while Native Bites present pepita and sesame biscuit snacks topped with the rich Davidson plum paste.

Core Nourish is a protein-packed snack bar that marries the richness of dark chocolate with the nutty allure of almonds.

Source:

The University of Newcastle