Official Rules, Participation Conditions & Programme Guidelines

Organised by: SpicedLore, a brand of Tropical Trading Co.
Programme: Spice The Lore
Edition: 2026
Last updated: 21/09/2026

1. ABOUT SPICE THE LORE

Spice The Lore is an initiative by SpicedLore that invites individual creators to explore new applications of Japanese fermentation through original food, dessert and beverage concepts developed for the Indian context.

The programme provides a structured platform for experimentation, product thinking, sensory exploration and cultural exchange.

Participants may be introduced to Japanese wooden-barrel-aged shoyu and other relevant ingredients or resources during the programme.

Spice The Lore is not a food-safety certification programme, manufacturing service, investment programme, employment opportunity or guarantee of commercialisation.

2. ORGANISER

Spice The Lore is organised by SpicedLore, a brand of Tropical Trading Co., referred to in these rules as:

  • “SpicedLore”
  • “the Organiser”
  • “we”
  • “us”
  • “our”

“Participant,” “Creator” or “you” refers to any individual who applies to, participates in or submits work to Spice The Lore.

By applying, enrolling, submitting an entry or participating in any programme activity, you agree to comply with these rules, the applicable Terms & Conditions and any specific instructions communicated by SpicedLore.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open only to individuals participating in their personal capacity.

Participants may include, subject to eligibility requirements:

  • Chefs and sous chefs
  • Bartenders and mixologists
  • Pastry professionals
  • Food and beverage professionals
  • Food entrepreneurs
  • Product developers
  • Culinary students
  • Fermentation enthusiasts
  • Independent makers
  • Hospitality professionals
  • Food and beverage enthusiasts
  • Individuals interested in culinary innovation

3.1 Organisational submissions

The following are not eligible to submit entries as participants:

  • Companies
  • Brands
  • Agencies
  • Corporate teams
  • Partnerships or other commercial entities
  • Entries submitted on behalf of an organisation
  • Entries submitted by one person on behalf of another person

An individual may work for a company or organisation and still participate personally, provided that:

  1. They have the legal right to participate;
  2. Their entry is not being submitted on behalf of their employer;
  3. Their entry does not use unauthorised employer-owned or confidential material;
  4. Their participation does not breach any employment, contractual or confidentiality obligation.

3.2 Eligibility discretion

SpicedLore may restrict or decline participation where reasonably necessary to protect:

  • The integrity of the programme;
  • Confidential information;
  • Commercial interests;
  • Intellectual-property rights;
  • Participant safety;
  • The interests of partners, suppliers or collaborators.

Where appropriate, individuals directly involved in the ownership, management, development, manufacture, marketing or commercialisation of products that materially compete with relevant SpicedLore products or programme interests may be excluded.

4. REGISTRATION AND APPLICATION

Applications must be submitted through the designated application process and within the published application period.

An application may be rejected or treated as incomplete if it contains:

  • Missing information;
  • False or misleading information;
  • Unverifiable identity details;
  • Materially incomplete responses;
  • Unauthorised third-party content;
  • Information that does not satisfy the programme brief.

Submitting an application does not guarantee:

  • Selection;
  • Admission into the Creator Membership stage;
  • Receipt of a Maker’s Kit;
  • Finalist status;
  • A prize;
  • A Fellowship;
  • Commercialisation;
  • Collaboration with SpicedLore.

SpicedLore may request additional information or documentation to verify eligibility.

5. IDENTITY VERIFICATION

SpicedLore may reasonably request information required to verify an applicant’s identity, eligibility or participation status, including:

  • Full name;
  • Email address;
  • Telephone number;
  • Age or proof of age;
  • Government-issued identification;
  • City or address information;
  • Other reasonable verification documents.

A participant must not:

  • Create multiple identities;
  • Register more than once without written permission;
  • Submit on behalf of another individual;
  • Provide false or misleading information.

Failure to complete verification may result in rejection, suspension or disqualification.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with the applicable Privacy Policy and relevant law.

6. ONE PERSON, ONE ENTRY

Unless SpicedLore expressly communicates otherwise:

  • Each individual may register only once;
  • Each participant may submit one entry;
  • Each participant may submit an entry in one category only.

SpicedLore may determine how duplicate, substantially similar or coordinated entries are handled.

7. THE PRODUCT BRIEF

Participants must develop an original product concept within one of the permitted categories:

FOOD

Examples may include:

  • Sauces
  • Condiments
  • Seasonings
  • Snacks
  • Savoury applications

DESSERT

Examples may include:

  • Chocolate
  • Confectionery
  • Bakery applications
  • Sweet-and-savoury products

BEVERAGE

Examples may include:

  • Syrups
  • Cordials
  • Bitters
  • Zero-proof ingredients
  • Beverage modifiers

The examples above are illustrative only and do not constitute an approved product list.

Each entry must:

  1. Be an original creation or work that the participant has the legal right to submit;
  2. Have a meaningful relationship to Japanese fermentation or Japanese wooden-barrel-aged shoyu;
  3. Use the relevant shoyu as a material part of the product concept;
  4. Be developed with a clear product purpose;
  5. Be supported by the required formulation and product information;
  6. Satisfy the applicable submission requirements;
  7. Be suitable for evaluation under the programme brief.

The shoyu must not be included merely as a token ingredient. The participant should be able to explain what it contributes, such as:

  • Umami;
  • Salinity;
  • Depth;
  • Aroma;
  • Fermented complexity;
  • Balance;
  • Contrast;
  • Texture or sensory character.

8. CLEAN-LABEL REQUIREMENTS

Unless otherwise communicated in writing, entries should be developed without:

  • Added preservatives;
  • Artificial colours;
  • Artificial flavours;
  • Unnecessary additives.

The phrase “clean-label” is used as a programme description and does not override applicable food laws, labelling requirements or regulatory definitions.

Participants remain responsible for accurately declaring every ingredient and processing aid used in their product.

SpicedLore does not warrant that any particular formulation will qualify as “clean-label,” be legally marketable or be suitable for commercial production.

9. SHELF-STABILITY REQUIREMENT

Where the brief requires a shelf-stable product, the product must be intended to remain unrefrigerated during its specified unopened storage period under appropriate stated conditions.

Shelf-stable does not automatically mean safe.

Participants are solely responsible for:

  • Formulation;
  • Processing;
  • Hygiene;
  • Packaging;
  • Storage conditions;
  • Allergen management;
  • Microbiological safety;
  • Shelf-life assessment;
  • Product testing;
  • Labelling;
  • Regulatory compliance;
  • Safe handling and consumption instructions.

A prototype submitted for judging must not be represented as commercially approved, commercially validated or safe for general public distribution merely because it has been accepted into the programme.

Participants must not distribute, sell or commercially release an unvalidated product.

10. INGREDIENTS AND ALLERGENS

Participants must provide complete and accurate information regarding:

  • Ingredients;
  • Ingredient quantities where requested;
  • Ingredient sources;
  • Allergens;
  • Processing methods;
  • Relevant cross-contamination risks;
  • Storage requirements;
  • Intended use.

Participants must disclose any ingredient or process that may create a health, safety, allergen or regulatory concern.

SpicedLore may reject or exclude any product that it reasonably considers unsafe, unsuitable, inadequately documented or inconsistent with the programme brief.

11. ORIGINALITY AND THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

Every participant warrants that their submission:

  • Is their original work; or
  • Is work they have the necessary rights and permissions to submit.

Participants must not submit:

  • Another person’s recipe or formulation;
  • Employer-owned intellectual property;
  • Client-owned work;
  • Confidential recipes;
  • Proprietary formulations;
  • Trade secrets;
  • Unpublished commercial information;
  • Protected manufacturing processes;
  • Copyrighted or licensed material without permission;
  • Material that infringes another person’s rights.

Participants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions from collaborators, employers, clients, suppliers and other rights holders.

12. COLLABORATION AND ASSISTANCE

A participant may receive assistance from another person only where such assistance is permitted under the programme rules.

The participant must:

  • Disclose material collaborators when requested;
  • Ensure that the participant retains the right to submit the entry;
  • Obtain necessary permissions;
  • Ensure that no unauthorised third-party material is included.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the entry remains attributed to the registered individual participant.

13. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A complete submission may be required to include:

  • The product sample;
  • Product name;
  • Category;
  • Product description;
  • Complete ingredient list;
  • Formulation or recipe;
  • Preparation method;
  • Storage instructions;
  • Allergen declaration;
  • Product story;
  • Intended use;
  • Target customer;
  • Approximate production cost;
  • Proposed retail price;
  • Expected ingredient requirement;
  • Scale-up considerations;
  • Explanation of the role of Japanese wooden-barrel-aged shoyu;
  • Commercial or product-development rationale.

SpicedLore may publish additional submission instructions, sample quantities, packaging requirements, deadlines or technical specifications.

Participants must follow the latest written instructions communicated by SpicedLore.

14. MAKER’S KIT AND INGREDIENTS

Where a Maker’s Kit or ingredient allocation is provided:

  • Availability may be limited;
  • Contents may vary;
  • Dispatch dates may change;
  • Ingredients may be substituted or withheld;
  • Delivery may be affected by logistics, customs, availability or other circumstances.

The Maker’s Kit is provided for programme-related development and evaluation.

Participants must not:

  • Resell the supplied ingredients;
  • Misrepresent the ingredients;
  • Transfer them to another participant without permission;
  • Use them in a manner contrary to the instructions;
  • Claim that the supply constitutes a commercial partnership or endorsement.

15. CREATOR MEMBERSHIP

Where applicable, selected applicants may be invited to enter the Creator Membership stage upon payment of the applicable fee.

The Creator Membership fee is a participation and development-stage fee. It does not constitute:

  • A guarantee of selection;
  • A guarantee of winning;
  • A purchase of intellectual-property rights;
  • A guarantee of commercialisation;
  • A guarantee of a Japan Fellowship;
  • A guarantee of employment or business opportunity.

The fee amount, payment deadline, inclusions, refund policy and other conditions will be communicated through the applicable payment and membership terms.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, payments are non-transferable and non-refundable once the relevant membership benefits or development resources have been allocated.

16. JUDGING AND SELECTION

Entries may be evaluated using criteria including:

CriterionIndicative WeightTaste and sensory quality25%Innovation15%Meaningful use of Japanese wooden-barrel-aged shoyu15%Commercial viability25%Scalability10%Story and brand potential10%

SpicedLore may modify the judging process where reasonably necessary, provided that material changes are communicated where appropriate.

Judging may involve:

  • Blind tasting;
  • Regional evaluation;
  • Expert review;
  • Technical review;
  • Product documentation review;
  • Commercial assessment.

Judging decisions will be made according to the process determined by SpicedLore and, where applicable, the appointed judging panel.

Judging decisions are final to the extent permitted by law.

SpicedLore is not required to provide individual feedback on every entry.

17. FINALISTS AND WINNERS

The programme may select up to nine finalists per category, subject to participation levels and programme requirements.

Finalists may be invited to participate in a Maker’s Table or another presentation, tasting or evaluation format.

The programme may identify:

  • Category winners;
  • One overall Fellowship recipient;
  • Additional recognitions or opportunities.

The number, structure and format of recognitions may be changed, postponed or withdrawn where reasonably necessary.

SpicedLore may withhold recognition or a prize where:

  • Eligibility cannot be verified;
  • The entry breaches the rules;
  • The participant provides false information;
  • The entry is unsafe or unsuitable;
  • The participant fails to provide required documentation;
  • The participant cannot satisfy applicable conditions.

18. IMPORTANT DATES

Indicative programme dates include:

  • Application deadline: 15 October 2026
  • Maker’s Kit dispatch: From 15 October 2026
  • Product development: October to early November 2026
  • Final submission deadline: 15 November 2026
  • Judging period: 1–10 December 2026
  • Shortlist and winner announcements: December 2026
  • Planned Japan Fellowship: February 2027

Dates may change due to operational, logistical, regulatory, partner, travel or other circumstances.

The latest written communication from SpicedLore will govern the applicable programme schedule.

19. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

SpicedLore may suspend or disqualify a participant who:

  • Provides false or misleading information;
  • Submits another person’s work;
  • Submits multiple identities or unauthorised duplicate entries;
  • Misrepresents ingredients;
  • Intentionally contaminates or adulterates a sample;
  • Attempts to improperly influence judges;
  • Attempts to access confidential submissions;
  • Interferes with another participant;
  • Coordinates fraudulent entries;
  • Breaches confidentiality;
  • Misuses supplied ingredients;
  • Engages in threatening, abusive, discriminatory or unlawful conduct;
  • Attempts to compromise the integrity of the programme.

SpicedLore may take reasonable steps to protect the integrity, safety and reputation of the programme.

20. RIGHT TO MODIFY, SUSPEND OR CANCEL

SpicedLore may, where reasonably necessary

  • Modify programme dates;
  • Change the format or venue;
  • Alter the judging process;
  • Change the number of finalists;
  • Replace or modify programme resources;
  • Suspend applications;
  • Cancel a stage;
  • Cancel or postpone the programme;
  • Withhold a prize or recognition;
  • Discontinue the programme.

SpicedLore will endeavour to communicate material changes where reasonably practicable.

21. FOOD SAFETY AND PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Participation in Spice The Lore does not constitute:

  • Food-safety approval;
  • Product certification;
  • Laboratory validation;
  • Regulatory approval;
  • Manufacturing approval;
  • Permission to sell or distribute a product.

Each participant is independently responsible for ensuring that their product is safe, lawful and appropriately documented.

SpicedLore does not assume responsibility for the formulation, manufacture, storage, transportation, handling, consumption, sale or distribution of a participant’s product.

22. PUBLICITY AND DOCUMENTATION

By participating, the participant acknowledges that the programme may be documented through:

  • Photography;
  • Videography;
  • Interviews;
  • Written profiles;
  • Social media;
  • Editorial content;
  • Event documentation;
  • Programme reports;
  • Promotional communications.

Subject to applicable law and the applicable consent terms, the participant grants SpicedLore permission to use their name, likeness, voice, submitted product images and programme-related statements for legitimate programme-related communication and documentation.

Any separate commercial use beyond programme-related purposes should be governed by a separate written agreement where required.

23. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The ownership and use of participant-created work are addressed in the separate Creator & IP Terms.

Participants should read those terms before submitting an entry.

Participation does not automatically transfer ownership of a participant’s underlying formulation or recipe to SpicedLore.

Any future development, licensing, manufacturing, distribution or commercialisation will require a separate written agreement.

24. LIMITATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, SpicedLore and Tropical Trading Co. will not be responsible for losses arising from:

  • A participant’s formulation or product;
  • Consumption or use of a participant’s product;
  • Food-safety incidents caused by a participant’s product;
  • Incorrect ingredient or allergen declarations;
  • A participant’s breach of third-party rights;
  • A participant’s breach of law or contract;
  • Delays, loss or damage during participant-arranged transportation;
  • Failure to obtain permissions, licences or approvals;
  • Changes to programme dates or format;
  • Failure to secure commercialisation;
  • Failure to receive a prize, Fellowship or business opportunity.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

25. PARTICIPANT INDEMNITY

To the extent permitted by law, each participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SpicedLore, Tropical Trading Co., their representatives, partners, service providers and programme personnel against claims, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses arising from:

  • The participant’s breach of these rules;
  • The participant’s breach of law;
  • The participant’s negligence or misconduct;
  • The participant’s product or formulation;
  • Food-safety or allergen issues attributable to the participant;
  • Infringement of third-party rights;
  • Unauthorised use of confidential information;
  • False or misleading declarations;
  • Unauthorised commercialisation or distribution.

The scope of this clause must be reviewed by legal counsel for enforceability.

26. ACCEPTANCE

By submitting an application, paying any applicable fee, receiving a Maker’s Kit or submitting an entry, the participant confirms that they have read and understood:

  • The eligibility requirements;
  • The product brief;
  • The submission requirements;
  • The food-safety responsibilities;
  • The judging process;
  • The disqualification provisions;
  • The publicity provisions;
  • The Creator & IP Terms;
  • The Fellowship Terms;
  • The applicable Terms & Conditions.

27. CONTACT

For programme-related queries:

Email: kioke@spicedlore.com
Organiser: SpicedLore, a brand of Tropical Trading Co.
Location: India