Eleven finalists are in the running for Seafood Excellence Awards that will be presented during the Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America show in Boston. The contenders were selected out of a list of market-ready products that are launching or have been introduced over the past 18 months in the North American market. Winners will be announced on March 16 at 3:30 PM EDT in the Wave Makers’ Zone of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, followed by a reception.
Finalists were selected by seafood industry experts who judged 68 entries based on their uniqueness and appropriateness to the marketplace, taste profile, packaging, sales potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality. Two awards will be presented, one each for the top product in retail and foodservice categories.
Eight Retail Product Contenders
Eastern Fish Co., Shrimp Bao Bun (Booth #253)
Pictured above, the chef crafted Asian bao bun is filled with shrimp and vegetables accented with bold flavors. Distributed frozen, the pillowy soft and easy to heat dim sum serve up a satisfying result just minutes of preparation. The Teaneck, New Jersey-headquartered supplier, which operates two processing plants in New Bedford, Massachusetts, positions the restaurant-quality product as “perfect for a quick meal or snack.”
Channel Fish Processing, Spanakopita Wild Blue Catfish (Booth #2859)
Reimagining a popular Greek classic, this offering (pictured below) features mild, flaky wild blue catfish accented with the vibrant flavors of creamy feta cheese and flecks of spinach. The culinary delight incorporates phyllo dough upcycled into a crunchy breading. More than just a feast for the palate, this offering spotlights the Braintree, Massachusetts-based company’s commitment to sustainability by utilizing domestic wild blue catfish, an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.
Clearwater Seafoods Arctic Surf Clams in Brine (Booth #2505)
Clearwater’s premium wild-caught Arctic Surf Clams in Brine are a sustainably harvested canned seafood offering sourced from Canada’s North Atlantic waters. The sushi-grade clams deliver a sweet, delicate flavor and tender texture, making them an ideal addition to seacuterie boards, gourmet spreads and seafood-inspired dishes.
Icy Waters, LLC, Atlantic Salmon with a Guinness Sweet Honey Mustard Melt & Panko Crumb (Booth #2575)
Icy Waters Seafood has collaborated with the Good Fish Co. of Ireland to produce a seafood product boasting the distinctive taste of Guinness stout beer. The sustainably sourced Atlantic Salmon is imbued with a combination of flavors including Guinness, sweet honey, mustard and panko crumb.
Multi X, Latitude 45 Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board (Booth #841)
Promoted as the “perfect product to share with your loved ones,” this offering features four flavors to savor packed in individual trays. The fish undergoes a process that enhances its flavor by way of a traditional smoking method using natural wood.
Naera Icelandic Snacks, Næra Ranch Salmon Crunchy Fish Bites (Booth #653)
These all-natural salmon fish bites are batch-crafted and gently dried to offer a pleasant crunch with sour cream and onion flavor. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, the product’s name, Næra (nye-rah), means “nourish” in Icelandic.
Patagonia Seafarms, Salmon Kefta Kebabs ( Booth #1933)
Made with premium Chilean salmon and seasoned with aromatic spices, zesty ginger and fragrant lemongrass, these flavorful kebabs are offered “to elevate your home dining with a healthy, mouthwatering option that makes eating salmon exciting.”
Thunder’s Catch Wild Salmon Curry (Booth #1552)
This product serves up 100% wild-caught Alaska sockeye salmon simmered in a coconut curry sauce with vegetables and other wholesome ingredients. Distributed in a 9 oz pouch that is easy to tear open, the shelf stable curry is ready to heat on a stove or in a microwave oven.
Three Foodservice Category Finalists
Clearwater Seafoods, Breaded Arctic Surf Clams (Booth #2505)
Made from the tender straps and siphons of sustainably harvested Arctic surf clams, this is a convenient breaded seafood offering. The hand-breaded clams boast a golden, crispy coating with a succulent, mild-flavored interior. Pre-breaded, par-fried and ready to serve after just 60 seconds of heating, Breaded Arctic Surf Clams capture the essence of classic New England cuisine, offering a similar look and taste of whole belly clams at a fraction of the cost.
American Unagi, Inc., Gluten Free Eel Kabayaki Fillet (Booth #3452)
Utilizing glass eels that are raised without the use of added hormones or antibiotics, the Waldoboro, Maine-based company prides itself in only buying directly from local fisherman who exclusively supply local river-sourced product. The value-added production process includes hand selecting the fillets, which are then grilled with a gluten-free Kabayaki sauce.
St. Ours & Co., LLC, St. Ours Crab Broth (Booth #1211)
The broth powder is made by slow simmering fresh-caught green crab, then dehydrating the result into a powder to provide longer shelf life and ease of use as a bouillon, soup base, stock, brine and seasoning. This saves hours of preparation time and adds depth of flavor to seafood dishes.
