The top prizes at the Seafood Excellence Global awards at Seafood Expo Global have been awarded to Kagerer & Co. of Munich, Germany and Freshpack of San Martin les Boulogne, France.
The winners were selected from a field of 39 finalists. The competition, formerly known as the Seafood Prix d’Elite, recognises the best products exhibited at Seafood Expo Global.
The top award for Best Retail Product was given to Kagerer & Co. for its entry, Dim Sum - Quick ‘n’ Easy. This combination of three types of dumplings – har kao, shao mai and gyoza can be quickly steamed or microwaved and served with their own dipping sauce. The judges noted the distinctive flavour of each dumpling and the tasty fillings with whole shrimp, as well as the attractive package and convenient microwaveable tray.
Freshpack won the grand prize for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) product for its high pressure shelled raw king crab meat. Raw king crab legs are completely extracted from their shells using this technology, then individually vacuum packed and frozen. The product gives the restaurant operator the opportunity to offer dishes with a taste and texture similar to those made with live king crab that has been freshly cooked. The judges commented on the flavour and juiciness of the product and the convenience of the individual leg packs.
In addition to the grand prize, the judges also gave five special awards: L’huître Noisette from SAS Kermaree in Blainville sur Mer, France was presented the Seafood Excellence Global special award for Health & Nutrition; the special prize for Convenience was awarded to Marine Harvest of Boulogne sur Mer, France for its product, Mini Gourmandises; and La Famille Boutrais of Saint Coulomb, France was awarded the special award for Innovation for its product Gold Special Oysters “Ostra Regal.”
Marine Harvest France was also presented the special award for Retail Packaging for its product ASC Salmon Traiteur in Double Protection Packaging, and Delpierre of Saint Aignan de Grand-Lieu, France was presented with special award for Seafood Product Line for its line of fresh fillets preserved with high pressure pasteurization.
The Seafood Excellence Global finalists were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation.
