Culinary degree students showcase new 'retail ready' food products

Twelve Culinary Arts degree students showcased a range of new food products they developed as part of their degree studies, at a public event in GMIT last week (Wednesday 22 April) attended by students, staff and guest judges.

The products ranged from puddings to nutrition health bars, snacks, sauces and stocks, convenient foods such as luxury potato dishes and pizzas, soups for children and batter mixes.

The products were assessed by a number of industry representatives or ‘guest dragons’ including Caroline McDonough, Galway Local Enterprise Office, Mike Flynn, Business Development Manager, Musgrave’s Food Services, Eoin Warner, Director at The Butler’s Pantry, Robert Rosbotham, Graduate of GMIT (represented GMIT in the 2001 Culinary Olympics in South Korea) and Creagh Moore, Graduate of BA Culinary Arts degree and finalist on RTE/Lidl Taste of Success (New Food Product) television programme.

The 12 students and their products names are: Phillip Bridges’ "Chopping Topping"; Daniel Craughwell’s ‘Sea Pots’; Anne Marie Finn’s ‘Shake Share’; Siobhan Flaherty’s ‘Miso Gravy’; Catherine Gillespie’s ‘Seasert’; Michael Hogan’s ‘Ocean Bar’; Anne Kileen McMahon’s ‘Seabites’; José Mansilla Yanguas’ ‘Mashy Poshy’; José Martinez Doyle’s ‘Funky Batter’; Gerard Nelligan’s ‘Pizza Delight’; Leonard Ryan’s ‘Soupables’; and Jeffrey Warde’s ‘Nuts About Seeds’.

Feedback from the judges and guests was very positive, with written comments commending the culinary students on their food ideas, great taste, usefulness/convenience and marketability.

At the end of the presentations, the guest “dragons” picked the top three products they believe are virtually ‘retail ready’.

In first place was José Mansilla Yanguas from Shannon, Co Clare, for his product called ‘Mashy Poshy’, a flavoured potato dish designed with inflight catering in mind which would also be suitable for retail and general food service sector.

In second place was Siobhan Flaherty from Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway, for her product called ‘Miso Gravy’, a ready to heat instant soybean-based sauce targeting the health-conscious consumer.

In third place came Catherine Gillespie from Ballina, Co Mayo, for her product called ‘Seasert’, a pudding made from carrageen, reformulated as a health and wellness convenience snack.

Eoin Warner, The Butler’s Pantry, summed up the day, stating: “There were some very interesting products, with some showing real commercial potential. It was apparent that students had put a lot of work into their pitches and innovation”.

GMIT lecturer Richard Nielsen, Food Product Development Module, says “The students’ energy and enthusiasm to this task was very evident at the showcase and they deserve all praise for their efforts, creativity and skill.”