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Utah State students earn $10,000 prize for developing high-protein dairy pizza in DMI’s New Product Competition

A high-protein personal pizza took home the top prize at this year’s New Product Competition sponsored by the dairy checkoff. 

Rohit Kapoor with Dairy Management Inc. says students from Utah State University created Athena Slice.

“It reimagines pizza with a crust made from cottage cheese,” he says. “It also contains mozzarella and parmesan as well. This whole pizza delivered 30 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving.”

He tells Brownfield the pizza is designed to meet the growing demand for protein-rich foods and highlights the versatility of dairy.

“This year’s winning product is a perfect product for today’s consumer that is looking for a nutritious food that helps them with their protein needs to help maintain their bone and muscle health, but at the same time is tasty and flavorful,” he says.

Athena Slice team members Taelie Kennedy, Angalee Brinkerhoff, and Erynn Chidester received DMI’s Platinum Dairy Innovator Award and a $10,000 prize at this year’s American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting.

AUDIO: Rohit Kapoor, Dairy Management Inc.