From the science, to growing and eating; Food Innovators will put the spotlight on innovation and entrepreneurship in Queensland's flourishing agri-food ecosystem.
The two-hour program is designed to inspire, engage and connect through a thought-provoking panel discussion with local experts and networking opportunities with thought leaders, policy makers and innovators.
Meet the entrepreneurs behind local food startups and learn about the cutting-edge research and technology that is powering food innovation right here in Queensland.
Use #FoodInnovators if posting on social media.
Meet the panel
Angela Hirst: Director, Wandering Cooks
Angela is the visionary founder of Wandering Cooks, the hub of the Brisbane food community, uniting artisan food producers, chefs, buyers, suppliers, educators and the food-loving public. Angela is a qualified chef, with a PhD in Food Ethics from UQ. She has cooked in restaurants in London, Paris, Hoi An and Brisbane, worked for Food Connect (a community supported agriculture enterprise), taught research students at UQ and QUT, developed her own cooking classes and catering company and reviewed restaurants for Brisbane Times and Gourmet Traveller.
Professor Sagadevan Mundree: Director, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities
Sagadevan leads the research team at QUT's Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities (CTCB) who are helping to feed the world by developing more resilient and nutritious tropcial crops such as bananas, chickpeas, lentils and mungbeans. CTCB supports agricultural advancement in developing countries in Africa, India and South-East Asia. Their pro-vitamin A enriched 'super banana' is expected to ease the suffering of millions of African people by alleviating vitamin A deficiencies which can lead to blindness or death.
Geoff Goh, Business Manager - Food & Agribusiness, Trade and Investment Queensland
Geoff is the Business Manager - Food & Agribusiness for Trade and Investment Queensland. Trade and Investment Queensland plays an active role in promoting Queensland internationally as an attractive place to source clean, green, sustainable good products and provides support to agri-food businesses looking to scale globally. Geoff has over 25 years experience in international business, attracting considerable foreign investment to Australia.
Penny Wolff - Co-Founder, Wolff Coffee Roasters, Dandelion & Driftwood & Queen of Pops
Penny is the Co-Founder of three iconic brands crafting a niche in speciality tea & coffee in Brisbane and beyond. Penny had a vision of replicating the 'in-cup' experience of a coffee and turning it into a popsicle. With support from FIAL, Penny worked with a food technologist to overcome the technical challenges to launch their range of Pops.
Abbey Cameron - Co-Founder, Caveman Kitchen
Tired of companies promoting 'healthy food' that was actually full of nasties, Abbey founded Caveman Kitchen, a fresh and healthy meal delivery service. Using only the best Australian sourced ingredients, Caveman Kitchen provides weekly meals to customers in South-East Qld, NSW, Canberra and Melbourne.
The venue
Food Innovators is proudly hosted by QUT and will take place in The Cube, one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces dedicated to providing an inspiring, explorative and participatory experience. The Cube consists of 48 multi-touch screens soaring across two storeys.
Registration for Food innovators is essential, refreshments will be provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements in your registration.
Food Innovators is an initiative of:
Thanks to our event supporters:
QUT event partners:
- QUT Division of Research and Commercialisation
- QUT Business School
- QUT Institute for Future Environments
- QUT Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research
- QUT Bluebox