Bringing Food Science to the Public: Dr Ben Kew on the Future of Food

In the past months, Dr Ben Kew (Postdoctoral Fellow, SusProFood, Innovate UK Project) has been actively engaging the public with the wonders of food science through a series of innovative outreach events. With three recent events and in total 200+ attendees, Ben's interactive and sensory-rich presentations have proven to be a hit in communicating complex science in an accessible and entertaining way.

In a talk at Quantum Sauce, titled “A Taste of Tomorrow: Chocolate and Beyond”, Ben led the audience on a journey through taste, texture, and the science of eating. Creating over 65 individual boxes of curated food samples, he demonstrated the importance of food texture and oral tribology (the study of friction and lubrication in the mouth) using chocolate and plant proteins. The presentation not only covered modern food challenges but also delved into human evolution and the future impacts of climate change on our food systems. The audience  “travelled” from 2,000,000 BC to the year 2050, exploring why we eat what we eat, and how cutting-edge research — like that at the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) - NAPIC— is shaping the future of sustainable food systems for the future.

Ben also led two sold-out Pint of Science UK events, staying true to the initiative's aim of taking research beyond university walls into casual, welcoming settings:

1.“A Taste of Tomorrow and the future of food” – A repeat performance of his popular sensory talk where audiences physically experienced changes in taste, texture, and friction, highlighting how alternative protein research feeds into the development of sustainable, enjoyable future foods.

2.“Food Science in Focus: A Photo Exhibit” – Originating as an internal departmental photo competition, this creative project evolved into a full exhibit featuring over 60+ photo entries from the School of Food Science and Nutrition. Ben curated and displayed the winning photos at Pint of Science, and is celebrating food through student, academic and staff photography which is now being put on permanent display in the school

Throughout all these activities, Ben increased appreciation of food science by communicating its complexity, beauty, and relevance in everyday life. By blending humour, hands-on experiences, and powerful visuals, he has promoted alternative protein as well as tribology research as well as also helped to tackle misinformation whilst promoting sustainability and health in an engaging and memorable way.