HIFOOD AND CRUST and CRUMB BAKERYWIN PLANT BASED EXCELLENCE AWARDS WITH PROTEIN ENRICHED PIZZAS

The two award-winning pizza concepts are a tribute to the results that can be obtained in innovating food through co-development. 

HIFOOD – company specialized in the research, development, and production of natural ingredients, and part of CSM Ingredients group –andCrust & Crumb Bakery– the largest manufacturer in Irelandof ambient, chilled, and frozen dough-based products– have won two Plant-Based Excellence Awards. The two companiesreceived the awards for their joint submission of plant-based, wood-fired pizza concepts enriched with PROTEIOS, HIFOOD’sTextured Vegetable Proteins, as follows:

Gold Medal: Protein Woodfired Pizza with Semi-Dried Tomatoes, Basil, and Kale

Silver Medal: Protein Woodfired Alt-Meaty Pizza, layered with slow-cooked seasoned mushrooms, alt-meat chorizo and pepperoni, jalapenos, and red onions.

The Plant-Based Excellence Awards are a comprehensive awards scheme judging new plant-based food conceptsand goods for their taste, visual appeal, sustainable packaging and attractive margins, with the aim of championing the excellence coming from the plant-based industry. The awards were announced in preparation for the PlantBased World Expo Europe,which will take place in Londonon the 13thand 14thNovember 2024.

HIFOOD and Crust & Crumb Bakery were able to achieve the Gold and Silver Medal together thanks to astrategiccollaboration between the two companies. Indeed, by combining Crust & Crumb Bakery’s expertise in crafting pizza bases, topped pizzas, garlic breads, wraps, and flatbreads, with HIFOOD’s knowhow in developing and applying innovative added-value ingredients of natural origin, it was possible to create the twoaward-winning pizza concepts. The pizza bases, in particular, are made with slow fermented sourdough, handstretched and baked to wood-fire perfection on lava stones,enriched with PROTEIOS, a Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) that is all-natural, allergen-free, and GMO-free. This co-development approach, a hallmark of HIFOOD’s way of working, sets a new standard in the plant-based pizza category, underscoring the value of synergy.

"We are honouredto receive two Plant-Based Excellence Awards in partnership with Crust & Crumb. This recognition not only underscores the groundbreaking potential of our PROTEIOS TVPs in enhancing bakery products but also celebrates the power of collaboration and of co-development”declaredJames Dedman, General Manager UK & Ireland for CSM Ingredients group.

Crust & Crumb Bakery emphasized in their statement that: “Crust & Crumb is honoured to have won two Plant-Based Excellence Awards—Gold and Silver—recognising our commitment to innovation in plant-based foods. The creation of our protein-enriched, wood-fired pizzas with HIFOOD directly responds to the growing consumer demand for protein-rich, plant-based options. As more people seek to incorporate protein into their plant-based diets, products that deliver both on nutrition and flavour are increasingly important.

By enhancing our pizzas with HIFOOD’s PROTEIOS textured vegetable proteins, we’ve crafted a product that combines authentic taste with substantial protein content, allowing consumers to enjoy a traditional pizza experience while meeting their nutritional goals. This achievement highlights our dedication to evolving with consumer preferences, delivering high-quality, satisfying options that support balanced, plant-based diets. At Crust & Crumb, we look forward to continuing to redefine plant-based offerings with products that blend artisanal tradition with cutting-edge nutritional innovation.”

As a versatile line of textured vegetable proteins that offers high protein content and is easy to integrate in recipes, HIFOOD’s PROTEIOS was indeedconsidered a perfect fit for Crust & Crumb Bakery’s protein pizzas. Free from gluten, soy, and additives, PROTEIOS delivers a neutral taste and aroma and adaptable textures, making it suitable for various plant-based preparations, including bakery goods, sauces, plant-based burgers, seafood alternatives, and more.

HIFOOD will showcase PROTEIOS and other plant-based innovations at the Plant Based World Expo Europe in London on November 13–14, 2024, at Stand E16.