Melbourne Gets a Taste of the Future at Foodpreneurs Festival as Flora, Umei & Solbevi Lead the Charge

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If you’re still scanning supermarket shelves for inspiration, look no further than a converted convent outside of Melbourne, where the Foodpreneurs Festival cracked open a six-pack of future food brilliance. From umami-packed vegan mayo to Mediterranean spritzes and spreadable butter without the cow, the inaugural BiteBack Awards weren’t just about startup sparkle, they showed exactly where the food system is headed.

Source: FoodPrenuers Festival - This years crowd

The brains behind the festival, Chelsea Ford, has spent years championing early-stage brands through her Foodpreneurs Formula. Her pitch is simple - ditch the gatekeeping and give emerging founders the platform they need without requiring years of costly grind. “Our goal has always been to shine a light on emerging brands, giving them the recognition, access, and opportunities they deserve to grow,” she said. And judging by what went down at Stickybeak Station, that mission has turned into real momentum.

Heidi Briggs of Flora Foods didn’t just win over the crowd, she took home two of the night’s biggest accolades: Brand Innovation and Critics Choice. Flora’s plant-based butters and spreads aren’t trying to be dairy, they’re simply better. Clean-label, cultured, creamy, and loaded with actual flavour, these products aren’t just vegan alternatives. They’re serious contenders for the future of the dairy aisle. “Consumers don’t want compromise, they want joy without the cow,” says Heidi Briggs. “That’s what we’re making.”

Then came Solbevi, which made a splash as the Category Crusher for its unapologetically Italian, alcoholic spritz range. Founder Stefan Di Benedetto has managed to bottle the vibe of a Sicilian summer and make it shelf-stable, low sugar, and ritual-ready. Lemon citrus using his Nona's recipe and everything about it says celebration without regret. “It’s about creating rituals without the alcohol,” he said. “Solbevi means ‘you drink’ and we think the time is now.”

Another big win came from debut brand Umei Foods, which scooped the People’s Choice Award with a stunning range of Asian-inspired, egg-free mayonnaises. Founder Sarah Leung says it was Umei’s first time showcasing to the industry, and the result? A packed tasting table and dozens of votes from festival-goers who fell hard for the flavour. Her silky, plant-based mayo carries the umami punch of traditional recipes with none of the animal inputs.

Source: Various - Solbevi - Sorry Nonna - SUP Foods -Six-Eyed Scorpion - Umei - Flora Foods

While the alt-protein movement was well represented by Flora Foods and Umei, other standout founders added flavour to the mix. Sorry Nonna earned Launch Legend for their lovingly nostalgic Italian ready meals, not plant-based, but packed with cultural value and solid storytelling.

Sandra Seah and Jordana Adams of Six-Eyed Scorpion took home the Brand Campaign award for their maximalist approach to chilli sauces, proving design, humour, and 'heat' are still a winning combo. Meanwhile, Theresa Dang of Sup Foods range of Asian freeze dried soups won over the investor panel with a pitch raw, a little chaotic, but ultimately compelling. Her win in the CPG Investor Hub category points to a functional or wellness-driven line with serious growth potential.

Across the board, Ford’s BiteBack Awards proved food is no longer just about fuel, it’s about form, identity, and values. From shelf-stable innovations to egg-free condiments and dairy disrupters, the founders recognised this year didn’t just show up, they showed us what comes next. The playing field is changing, and thanks to platforms like Foodpreneurs Festival, the next wave of grocery icons is getting their shot before the majors even know what hit them.

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