CAFRE graduate adds sparkle to soft drinks innovation
Date published:
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is proud to spotlight the achievements of recent graduate Laura Cuddy from Cookstown, who is now contributing to the development of innovative beverages at Norbev, a leading soft drinks manufacturer based in Ballymena.
Laura graduated in June with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation and Nutrition from CAFRE’s Loughry Campus. She has since joined Norbev’s New Product Development (NPD) team, where she plays a key role in creating new beverage concepts for a global market. Norbev produces a wide range of products including carbonated and still drinks, juices, mixers, cordials, and energy drinks for internationally recognised brands such as Monster Energy and Britvic.
In her role, Laura is responsible for developing product prototypes, engaging with customers and suppliers, and supporting production trials. She credits her success to the practical, hands-on experience gained during her studies at Loughry Campus.
Laura began her journey into the food industry by applying to study at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus after completing her GCSEs. She first achieved a two-year Level 3 qualification in Food, Nutrition and Health before progressing to the Ulster University-validated BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation and Nutrition at the Cookstown Campus.
Reflecting on her time at Loughry, Laura said: “I found my time at Loughry Campus enjoyable. The campus has excellent food processing facilities, and we benefitted from gaining so much hands-on experience. The college’s strong connections with the food industry enriched our learning through guest speakers and site visits, giving us valuable insight into real-world food businesses.”
Reflecting on her years spent studying at CAFRE Laura highlighted the Food Product Development degree module as one which she particularly enjoyed.
“Within the module we participated in a new product development challenge set by Moy Park. This was a team-based project which required us to respond to a real-industry brief designed by the business. Looking back, this module carved my interest in food innovation and development,” commented Laura.
As part of her final year of study Laura had a research project to complete. Laura developed a seaweed-infused burger - an innovative product that combined enhanced nutritional value with environmentally sustainable ingredients.
CAFRE’s courses encourage students to gain industry relevant skills and experience, preparing them for successful careers in the agri-food sector. If you or someone you know is interested in following a future in food, encourage them to discover CAFRE.
The college has recently updated its full-time food degree offerings including a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation Management with pathways in Technology and Nutrition and a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sustainable Agri-Food Management, both validated by Ulster University.
Apply now for courses starting this September. For more information visit the CAFRE website.
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