Prize-winning UCC students were honoured last week at a ceremony by the president of the university, Prof Gerard Wrixon. The BSc students in food business and food technology had scooped all the awards on offer at the recent Enterprise Ireland Student Awards.
Now they must decide how to progress their innovative ideas even further. Carrig Cliona (ham cooked and cured to a special formula) won the overall award, while Lunasa Cream Liqueur (a range of Irish cream liqueurs) won the prize for excellence in business financing.
Oscar's Lager (low-carbohydrate, reduced-calorie) won the prize for technical innovation, and chicken with a difference (gluten-free breaded chicken fillet) took the regional prize.
The next phase, says Ms Maria Harrington, UCC's food communication officer, is to bring these wonderful products to the market place. A number of companies have been in touch with UCC to explore the possibilities. From small acorns . .