World Food Innovation Awards 2021: What are the judges looking for? (Part 1)

The World Food Innovation Awards 2021, in association with IFE, are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the global food industry. We asked the judging panel what they are hoping to see from entrants.

There are 28 trophies to be won in total, and being shortlisted provides a hallmark of success that will prevail long after the awards draw to a close.

The judges’ criteria points will hopefully offer inspiration and help in crafting the winning entry. The deadline is Friday 29 January.

Stefania Pérez Beltrán
Food Packaging Designer and Engineer

It’s an honour and pleasure to be part of the judging panel at the World Food Innovation Awards 2021. As a gastronomy expert, I find out it’s been amazing how cultures, flavours and people connect. I believe that passion and respect for culture is the main path to understand the food environment; creating value through ingredients, sustainability, innovation, awareness and nutrition. This recipe makes the experience of taking food to another level. I will take into consideration the following attributes:

• Wellness & Consciousness: Products must be practical and tasty, but one of the most relevant attributes must be focus on health and nutritive impact. Is your product delivering health and nutrition to your consumers?
• Taste and Flavour: Your product must transmit experience through flavour, texture, aroma and off course connection with your consumers! Memorable taste and flavour are what I’m looking for.
• Innovation & Creativity: The concept of your product must be developed into 360° process, considering the environment, supply chain, ingredients, communication, wellness and people. Does your product address consumer needs?
• Make it sustainable: The sustainable process involved in ingredients and materials (packaging) are the best formula to keep the planet and people in balance. I want to see it in your product!
• The WOW Effect: Looking for products and packaging that really have the WOW Effect! Does your product/packaging have the WOW Effect?

Good luck to everyone!

Louis Bedwell
Co-founder & Head of Operations, Mission Ventures

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of life, from how people live and work to how customers choose and purchase products and services. Crisis often leads to creation, and we are witnessing more innovation in food and drink than ever before as brands pivot to meet consumers ever-changing needs – it’s a fascinating time to be part of the industry. Before you apply for these awards, I’d start with these questions:

• Is your product better for consumers? Consumers make purchases to fulfil needs both specific to their situation and guided by broader trends. We’re looking for products that are on-trend and meet the needs of its intended audience. 
• Is your product better for health? 2020 has shone a spotlight on how our food and health are so closely interlinked. Does your product add value to your consumer’s health either physically or mentally? 
• Is your product better for the environment? Beyond its functional benefits, does your work make a positive impact on society? Whether it makes a dent to tackling the climate crisis, reduces food waste or uses more sustainable manufacturing technologies.
• Is your product better for business? Does your product or service have the ability to scale efficiently within a market? 
• Does your brand express and live its purpose? The most innovative challenger brands have an authentic voice and strong values which provide them with an edge against Big Food. 

Mella Frewan
Director General, FoodDrinkEurope

European food & drink companies fully support the ambition for more sustainable food systems and are committed to contributing towards a greener planet, healthier living and a thriving economy. In order to achieve truly sustainable food systems, the industry must be inventive. The transition to more sustainable food systems will include:

• Consumer power: product innovation must be a clear response to what consumers want and need. Importantly, new forms of communication with consumers must be developed to enhance transparency and provide the information consumers demand in a clear and understandable manner.
• Packaging improvements: packaging must not only ensure it protects and preserves the product, it should also be sustainable and reusable, recyclable or compostable.
• Environmental sustainability: innovative food and drink products should help improve the environmental performance of the manufacturer.
• Unique: new products should really stand out in the market place or on the shelf; the huge diversity of culinary traditions in Europe provides a framework that is ideally suited to foster creativity and innovation.
• Final check: no matter the innovation, pleasure and affordability must always be taken into account.

Eric-Alan Rapp
Partner, Vækstfonden

Here are a few of the concepts that will be top of mind for me as we review the candidates this year:

Themes for our planet. I am particularly interested in companies that…

• Either reduce or re-purpose packaging and food waste, or even help design packaging and waste completely out of our supply chain.
• Either incorporate or facilitate the development of protein and nutrient sources that minimize our planetary impact.
• Promote or enhance biodiversity.
• Help ensure a more secure food supply chain.

Think big. Founder teams that get my attention are driven by huge ideas to feed our planet in the face of the growing impact of climate change and our increasing population.

Walk the talk. I pay the most attention to companies with…

• Mission-driven founders who possess the skills and experience to execute on their ambitious plans – and who have access to missing skills.
• Customers or business partners that are showing strong indications of market pull for the products or services.
• Compelling stories that can educate and inspire many, many people to become aware of – and act upon – the urgency of adapting our behaviour for a sustainable future.
• Team DNA that incorporates an ability to generate attention, build awareness, and attract world-class stakeholders.

Think you’ve got what it takes to win? Enter your innovative food and beverage products in the World Food Innovation Awards 2021 now!