Food and Nanotechnology at European Young Chef Awards in Braga

Sara M. Oliveira, Staff Researcher of the Food Processing and Nutrition Group at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory was at the Praça – Mercado Municipal de Braga in the 5th Edition of the European Young Chef Awards 2021.

This European-level competition counted with the most talented young chefs representing different European countries – Portugal, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Norway, France, and Denmark. Besides the cooking skills, their innovation in preparing traditional dishes following a more sustainable conception and reducing food wastage was an evaluation criterion for the winner’s selection.

Sara was able to share with all the young chefs how nanotechnology can shape the future and help reduce the impact of the food system with new food solutions. In specific, she presented how to use 3D food printing to produce more sustainable meat alternatives and functional foods. The Young Chefs had the opportunity to prepare a 3D desert using the 3D food printer and the attendees to try the dish.