The 2023 Food Innovation Awards have unveiled their shortlist, with 49 projects standing out and earning recognition in Taiwan’s food industry. This prestigious event, often referred to as the "Oscars of Taiwan's food industry," is the only professional competition in Taiwan that is dedicated to fostering innovation within the food sector. The evaluation is jointly organized by FoodNEXT, a leading food industry media outlet, Food Chill, Taiwan’s first food crowdfunding platform, and TVBS, marking the fifth year of the awards. A total of 211 innovative projects were submitted this year, drawing participation from numerous local small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as emerging brands, highlighting the vibrant development of Taiwan’s food industry. In the "University" and "Student" categories, academic teams and up-and-coming talents who have long been dedicated to the food industry also made significant contributions.

Cheng Shiu University’s University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives have demonstrated exceptional performance. Following the introduction of the "Xinpi Fiberscape Madeleine" product, the Xinpi Fiberscape USR project won the two-star award in the "Food Innovation Awards," with its project titled "The Creation and Sustainable Development of the Nation’s First Phoenix Cake." This achievement, widely regarded as a symbol of excellence in the food industry, showcases the team's outstanding innovation.

The 2023 Food Innovation Awards, continuing the format from the fourth edition, divided the competition into three main categories: "Industry," "University," and "Student." The event encourages the integration of resources between industry and academia to foster deeper collaboration. This year’s awards saw significant participation, with 211 innovative projects submitted. After two rounds of rigorous evaluation and panel discussions, Cheng Shiu University’s Xinpi Fiberscape USR project was honored with a two-star rating in the university category.

The fifth Food Innovation Awards were co-hosted by FoodNEXT, Food Chill, and TVBS, with a star-based evaluation system. A two-star rating indicates that the project not only aligns with but also exceeds current trends in innovation, delivering products or solutions that surpass consumer expectations.

Moreover, the Xinpi Fiberscape USR project team, composed of teachers and students, achieved further success by winning first place in the Rice Food Creative Cooking Competition, held by the Nanzhou Farmers’ Association on December 2. Their innovative rice dishes, featuring local vegetables and fruits from Nanzhou and Xinpi, impressed local residents and left a lasting impact.

President Gong Rui-Zhang of Cheng Shiu University emphasized that the university is deeply committed to fulfilling its social responsibility by embedding sustainable development into its institutional operations. With a vision of promoting a "sustainable and beautiful life," the university continues to make strides in teaching, research, industry-academia collaboration, cultivating sustainable talents, and developing a low-carbon campus. As a result of these efforts, Cheng Shiu University was awarded the gold prize in the university category at the 16th TCSA Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards this year.

Project leader Professor Chen Xin-Hong remarked that this year marks the fourth year of implementing the University Social Responsibility (USR) project in Xinpi Township, Pingtung County. With its picturesque landscapes and rich agricultural resources, Xinpi Township offers tremendous potential. The project aims to revitalize and rejuvenate the local area, support underprivileged groups, promote basic education, and further enhance the township’s sustainable development.

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