Science Swindon launches competition to make meals using edible insects

Science Swindon invited three Swindon-based special guests from the UK Space Agency, Helen Browning’s Organic and the National Trust to go head-to-head in the Big Bug Bake-Off.

Each competitor has to come up with the best recipe for a dish - but this meal has to include real edible insects.

Tomorrow Festival director Rod Hebden said: “We know that we have to change the way we produce and consume food, particularly protein, so that we can effectively tackle our carbon emissions.

"One answer might be changing how we farm or eat meat, or it could be that we’ll all need to switch to plant-based diets. One suggestion has been to get our protein from farmed insects - but could that really catch on in Swindon?”

Human exploration programme manager at the UK Space Agency Libby Jackson,, Helen Browning's Organic managing director Tim Finney and National Trust editor Emily Roe, an Editor at the National Trust, all based in Swindon, got together at the Steam Museum to taste mealworms, crickets, locusts and buffalo worms for the first time and begin their tough task.

They will spend the next few weeks perfecting their recipes before bringing them back before the judges, including Business West director Ian Larrard in the week of the festival.

The Tomorrow Festival aims to showcase the latest scientific discoveries and cutting-edge technologies in a two-day event during the February half-term which will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The programme includes a free-to-enter hands-on science discovery zone, spectacular shows, and talks and debates from government, academic and industry figures.

Science Swindon is a collaboration between New Elements and the Steam Museum. Partners include UKRI research councils, universities, companies from the Swindon area, and community organisations.

For more information about the festival on February 21 and 22, and to buy tickets, visit scienceswindon.com