Fortune Cookies, Facial Cream and Candy Winners at Project Soy
March 27, 2008 - News Release
Fortune cookies, facial cream and candy all made from soybeans were among the winners at this year’s Project SOY competition held Wednesday.
Aimed at creating new uses and marketing strategies for soybeans, the 12th annual event showcased 13 projects from 38 University of Guelph students, including the regional campuses at Alfred, Kemptville and Ridgetown.
“This competition is a great example of an innovative partnership among students, government and the agri-food industry,” said Leona Dombrowsky, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, who attended the event. “Their innovation and enthusiasm make them our future leaders.”
Cash prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $5,000 were awarded to the top three projects in two categories: diploma and undergraduate/graduate.
First place in the diploma category went to Roy Belluz from the Kemptville campus for developing soy fortune cookies. Second prize was won by Sandra Charlebois from Campus D’Alfred for her soy pizza and third place went to Sam Gerrie and Nick Cressman of Ridgetown campus for creating building materials out of soy straw.
Topping the undergraduate/graduate category entries was a candy-coated chocolate confectionary made with soy protein by students Lauren Hill, Amar Kuruganti, Kelsie Leaman and Lynsey Walker. Second place was awarded to Trang Bui, Malin Borg, Cristina Cuda and Frida Gustavsson for their gluten-free soy pasta. Third place was a tie between Sayward Fetterly and David Harris, who developed modeling clay and a pen and paper set, and Alvina Foo, Jia He, Flora Leung and Leo Tam for their soy breakfast patties.
Students were able to describe their projects and network with students, faculty, industry representatives and guests at an open house prior to the awards ceremony.
“The caliber of projects and the level of innovation we saw from students today were excellent,” said Lorne Heslop, a member of the judging panel representing Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “It makes it both exciting and challenging to be a judge.”
Project SOY is sponsored by Dekalb Brand Seeds, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ontario Soybean Growers.
Contacts:
Owen Roberts
Director, Research Communications
519-824-4120 ext. 58278
owen@uoguelph.ca
Maria Dombrowsky
Student co-ordinator
519-824-4120 ext. 56638
soybeans@uoguelph.ca
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982, d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
