‘Kaizo’, an alternative fish sauce made from sea grapes developed by students from the CMU Faculty of Agro-industry, was the winner of the FoSTAT Food Innovation Contest 2023, themed ‘Tomorrow Food Innovation’, earning a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the contest organised by the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT).
Kaizo is an alternative fish sauce made from sea grapes. The students were inspired by the fact that the market for plant-based products keeps growing and condiments are no exception. These days more and more people are becoming more conscious about food, but the selection of plant-based condiments is not great. In making Kaizo, sea grapes are fermented to obtain amino acids, and then the product is heated to increase transparency. What makes this alternative fish sauce outstanding is its authentic flavour and it is also a good way to add value to sea grapes.
The winning team, Mae Phuang consists of six Agro-industry students: Ms. Kusuma Raksayot, Ms. Chantima Sakpatitha, Ms. Chantipitchaya Soonthornsawat, Ms. Chaninat Saokhamkhet, Ms. Daranphorn Choomkaew, and Ms. Supharat Intha. Their advisors were Assistant Professor Dr. Rajnibhas Sukeaw Samakradhamrongthai, Lecturer Israpong Pongsirikul, Assistant Professor Dr. Piyawan Simapaisan, Assistant Professor Suwanna Decharatanangkoon, Dr. Shitapan Bai-Ngew, Dr. Ponjan Walter, and Dr. Pavalee Chompoorat Tridtitanakiat.
Another team representing the CMU Faculty of Agro-industry that received the honourable mention and best poster presentation awards is Team Amazing A for their product ‘Mak Mak Chips’. The members were Mr. Kento Shoji, Ms. Ploypailin Khiewpetch, Ms. Yurim Lee, Ms. Rattana Rinpan, and Ms. Naomi Israel (from the Faculty of Mass Communication). Their advisors were Assistant Professor Dr. Suphat Phongthai, Assistant Professor Dr. Wannaporn Klangpetch Ueno and Dr. Pipat Tangjaidee.
This year, undergraduate students from all over the country participated in the 15th edition of the FoSTAT Food Innovation Contest themed ‘Tomorrow Food Innovation’ with a chance to win a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and a monetary prize of 100,000 baht. Held on June 16, 2023, at BITEC Bangna, the contest aimed to provide a platform for students in food science and technology and agro-industry to showcase their knowledge and creativity, as well as to encourage teamwork skills. It was also an opportunity for the private sector to recruit talents and select promising food product ideas for commercialisation, as well as to prepare and to adapt to future changes in the global food industry.