PRESS RELEASE
Six Future Awards honour pioneers shaping the future of food as We’re Smart celebrates its 10th anniversary
Eat More Trees, Italia Squisita, EDO, Mediterranean Food Lab, Food Matters Live and École à Table recognised at the Future Awards & Pure Plant Gala Dinner in Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium, 25 October 2026 – We’re Smart® presented its six Future Awards 2026 this evening in the chapel of Male Castle in Bruges. The awards celebrate people, organisations, products and projects making an exceptional contribution to a healthier world through more ecological and sustainable choices. The ceremony opened the Future Awards & Pure Plant Gala Dinner, marking We’re Smart’s 10th anniversary and launching the We’re Smart Pure Plant Days, taking place from 25 to 27 October.
Following a welcome reception at 18:00, guests gathered in the castle chapel at 19:00 for the Future Awards ceremony, introduced by Gil Dumarey, Partnerships & Events at We’re Smart. The Pure Plant Gala Dinner followed.
THE WE’RE SMART FUTURE AWARDS 2026 WINNERS
Communication of the Year – Eat More Trees (Belgium)
A documentary exploring the potential of food forests as a regenerative approach to food production. By combining trees, fruit, vegetables and other crops in resilient ecosystems, food forests can help restore soils and support thriving plant and animal life.
Also nominated: Graankeuken (the Netherlands) and ProVeg – Veggie Barometer & Pure Plant Study (international).
Media of the Year – Italia Squisita (Italy)
A leading platform dedicated to contemporary Italian gastronomy and haute cuisine. Through its magazine, digital channels, books and events, Italia Squisita showcases established and emerging chefs, connecting tradition with innovation.
Also nominated: Sterrenrestaurants Magazine (the Netherlands) and VegNews Magazine (United States).
Innovation of the Year – EDO, Spirulina Pearls (France)
French company Edonia develops Edo®, a clean-label, plant-based ingredient made from spirulina. Rich in protein and naturally umami, it offers a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources.
Also nominated: Rival Foods – Plant-Based Meat with Fat Structures (the Netherlands) and PlantSea – Plant-Based Plastic (United Kingdom).
Product of the Year – Mediterranean Food Lab, SHO
This food innovation company uses fermentation to create deep, complex culinary flavours from natural plant-based ingredients. Its SHO range offers chefs concentrated, additive-free stocks made from grains and legumes.
Also nominated: SeaSense – Culinary Seaweed Toppings (Belgium) and Rokerij Smoking – Smoked Vegetables (the Netherlands).
Project of the Year – Food Matters Live (United Kingdom)
A leading B2B platform connecting professionals across the food, beverage and nutrition industries. Through events, content and a podcast, it brings together innovators, ingredient suppliers, product developers and industry leaders to explore the trends shaping the future of food.
Also nominated: Oxalis Cuisine – Pure Plant School (Belgium) and Peter Klosse – Institute for Vital Gastronomy (the Netherlands).
Special Award of the Year – École à Table (Belgium)
This Belgian non-profit organisation works to improve school meals by supporting schools, meal providers and collective kitchens, training staff and engaging with policymakers. Its aim is to make healthy, sustainable and accessible food a central part of school life.
Also nominated: FoodChoices4Life – the EUFIC “Climate Smart Chefs” project, and RecycleCork (Spain).
“With the Future Awards, we want to recognise not only chefs, but also the businesses, organisations and pioneers accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable food system. Together, they are shaping the gastronomy of tomorrow,” says Frank Fol, founder and chairman of We’re Smart.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WE’RE SMART
What began ten years ago as a pioneering vision has grown into an international reference for plant-based gastronomy. Through the Future Awards, We’re Smart celebrates the businesses, organisations, media, products and projects that, alongside chefs, are helping shape the future of food.
PRESS INFORMATION
Images and interviews are available on request:
Alice Bown alice@alicebown.agency
+32 478 99 01 69
About WE’RE SMART®
We’re Smart® World is an international movement that believes in the power of food to improve health, society and the planet. Led by Frank Fol, The Vegetable Chef®, We’re Smart® is committed to placing fruit and vegetables at the heart of tomorrow’s gastronomy, under the motto “Think Vegetables! Think Fruit!”®. Through its Green Guide, awards and international initiatives, the movement champions innovation in plant-based gastronomy, supports chefs and organisations, guides consumers to outstanding restaurants across six continents and builds a global community around sustainable food.
Website : weresmartworld.com
Instagram : We’re Smart Green Guide
