Thai Union’s Chicken of the Sea and Iceland’s Finest were named the winners of the 2018 Seafood Excellence Awards on the first day of Seafood Expo North America on Sunday, 11 March, 2018.
Chicken of the Sea won the “Best New Foodservice Product” award for its Yellowfin Tuna Slices, and Iceland’s Finest won the “Best New Retail Product” award for its Creamy Masago Bites.
The winners were picked from a group of 12 finalists by a panel of seafood buyers and industry experts from the retail and foodservice industries.
Thai Union Group Director of Global Foodservice and Culinary Development Scott Solar said the winning product is the “world’s first pre-sliced, pre-seasoned tuna slices.” The product is made from whole yellowfin tuna loins cooked through high-pressure processing.
“This is totally new; it’s something nobody has ever thought about before.” Solar told SeafoodSource. “It comes from research about what customers are wanting; we moved on this innovation from that.”
The Seafood Excellence Awards recognize the product leaders in the North American seafood market. The new products are judged based on several criteria, including uniqueness and appropriateness to the market, taste profile, market potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality. Finalists were previously selected through a screening of products participating in the Seafood Expo North America New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase features seafood products, condiments, and culinary dishes launched in the past year by exhibiting companies.
This year’s judges included Johnny Poche, Director of Culinary/R&D Chef, Maggiano’s; Mark Hogan, Director of Center of the Plate Category, SGC Foodservice; and Andy Caron, Assistant Category Manager, Hannaford Brothers.
Co-located with Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo North America is North America’s largest seafood trade event, drawing more than 22,600 seafood professionals from more than 120 countries and 1,340 exhibiting companies.
Thai Union/Chicken of the Sea is exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America at Booth #519, and Iceland’s Finest can be found at Booth #3072.
