Gastronomica, the food and drink incubator based at Pioneer Group’s Colworth Science Park, which launches this week (5 March), has announced a schedule of events designed to inspire food and drink innovators of the future, hot on the heels of its launch.

Part of Pioneer’s flagship Pioneer Presents, the Gastronomica events series brings together the brightest minds from science, technology, and industry to share groundbreaking ideas, inspire innovation, and spark meaningful discussions through in-person events, online panels, and roundtable sessions.

Amongst the star-studded line-up is Sunday Times No1 Bestselling Author Dominique Woolf, TV chef and author Jeremy Wang, the Bezos Centre’s Dr Rodrigo Ledesma Amaro, the National Alternative Protein Centre’s (NAPIC) Professor Derek Stewart, and The Doctor’s Kitchen’s Rupy Aujla.

As co-director of NAPIC and director of APGC (Advanced Plant Growth Centre), Professor Derek Stewart is a visionary leader at the forefront of sustainable food innovation. On 13 March, he will share his insights into how sustainable feedstock and alternative proteins are shaping the future of UK sectors.

Jeremy Pang’s session takes place on 2 April and will see him share his journey from chef to world food ambassador, helping to shape culinary trends, mentor rising talent, and influence the food industry on a global scale. Jeremy’s passion for Asian cuisine has made him a familiar face on shows such as Sunday Brunch (Channel 4), This Morning (ITV), and Ready, Steady, Cook (BBC 1), with his new TV show, Jeremy Pang’s Hong Kong Kitchen, set to debut on ITV in March 2025, showcasing authentic flavours and culinary traditions.

Dr Rupy Aujla is Founder of the Doctor’s Kitchen and a Sunday Times bestselling author. His session on 14 May will explore the transformative concept of food as medicine and offer practical advice to help attendees cook up a healthy storm in their own kitchens.

The Gastronomica programme of events has been coordinated and organised by Ivor Peters, a chef himself who has featured on Sunday Brunch, and is Programming Director at Babylon Communications. Commenting on the series, Ivor says: “Curating the Gastronomica Series is like programming the Mercury Music prize for the food and beverage sector…we’re showcasing some stellar talent! The placemaking events programme is attracting scientific innovators, next generation entrepreneurs, academic luminaries, and food and beverage influencers. Hosted in the bucolic setting of Colworth Science Park, the series celebrates UK led innovation which is helping solve tomorrow’s global problems today.

“We’re creating an environment where start-ups, scale ups, and multinationals can share concepts, develop IP and these events symbolise the enzymatic process to help ideas thrive.”

Pioneer’s Gastronomica is a vibrant food and drink hub designed to foster collaboration and innovation, created through a cooperation between Pioneer and Unilever. The space brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, and creatives, inspiring conversations and connections that can drive forward sustainable solutions in food and drink. Pioneer’s Keith Purdie, Site Director of Colworth Park explains more: “Gastronomica is a shared lab facility kitted out with high-tech equipment donated by Unilever, including state-of-the-art microbiology and innovation suites, centrifugation, imaging, chromatography and drying systems, and a utility room available for use by start-ups.

“Through the Gastronomica events series, we aim to spotlight groundbreaking food and beverage innovators who are shaping the industry and leading the way in transforming how we eat and drink. The events are a must-attend for food lovers, culinary enthusiasts and scientists in the sector, with themes that aim to create discussion, promote collaboration, and inspire. We are looking forward to welcoming our exciting line-up of speakers to Colworth.”

Full details of the Pioneer Presents series, as well as tickets for the Gastronomica events, are available on the Pioneer website: https://thepioneergroup.com/pioneer-presents

Pioneer Group is a specialist life science infrastructure, and venture-building company focused on creating ecosystems that help companies accelerate cures for human and planetary health challenges.

For more information about Pioneer, visit www.thepioneergroup.com