Barcelona, Spain – (26 April 2022) GlobeXplore of France and Pescanova España of Spain won the top prizes in the 2022 Seafood Excellence Global awards at Seafood Expo Global, the world’s largest seafood trade event. The winners were selected from a field of 38 finalists and were announced this evening at a special Seafood Excellence Global awards reception. The competition recognizes the best products exhibited at Seafood Expo Global.
The top award for Best Retail Product was presented to Pescanova España for its entry, Salmon Noodles. This product represents a new market category of pastas made with fish that are high in protein, a natural source of omega-3, and low in fat. The noodles are sold chilled and can be mixed with your favorite sauce or consumers can try the easy chef-developed recipe on the back of the package. The judges noted the nice flavor and texture of the pasta, its fresh, natural appearance, and the attractive package design.
GlobeXplore won the grand prize for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) Product for its Seaweed Spread – Yuzu and Ginger. This product is a subtle and exotic mix of sea lettuce, ginger and yuzu designed to accompany both vegetable and meat dishes. Completely prepared and ready to use, it can also be the inspiration for chefs to create their own original seafood recipes. The judges particularly noted the unique, yet delicious flavor with definite afternotes of yuzu and ginger.
In addition to the grand prizes, the judges also gave five special awards:
Balfegó & Balfegó SL of Spain was presented the Seafood Excellence Global special award for Health & Nutrition for its Balfegó Bluefin Tuna Loin. The company harvests its bluefin tuna at the optimal fat point with beautiful color and the perfect balance of flavor. Aimed at top chefs around the world, this product offers numerous nutritional benefits including high quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, and numerous vitamins.
The Seafood Excellence Global special prize for Convenience was given to JC Mackintosh of Spain for its Smoked Wild-Caught Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio. The fish is naturally cold-smoked with oak and beech wood and wine barrels from La Rioja Alavesa. It is then thinly sliced and arranged for a ready-to-eat portion. This product allows the consumer to enjoy a top quality smoked tuna dish with zero preparation.
Krijn Verwijs Yerseke B.V. of the Netherlands was presented the Seafood Excellence Global special award for Retail Packaging for its product Bangkok – Mussels in Fresh Sauce with Lemongrass and Ginger, a convenient meal for one or starter for two with a chef-made sauce that can be prepared in just three minutes. The dish includes best-quality rope-grown mussels presented in a light Thai-style broth that can be served with udon noodles, pasta or rice. The packaging includes high quality photography in an attractive design with comprehensive consumer information and is 100% recyclable.
Pescanova España’s Salmon Noodles were also awarded the Seafood Excellence Global special award for Innovation. Representing a whole new market category of pastas made with fish, this product provides consumers who need convenience and want a nutritious meal and an innovative new way to include seafood in their diet. The product has a Nutri-Score of A and the versatility to be used in a wide variety of preparations.
Krijn Verwijs Yerseke also won the Seafood Excellence Award for Best Seafood Product Line for its line of BAP-certified and organic mussels in fresh sauces. The line includes Bangkok – Fresh Sauce with Lemongrass and Ginger, Classic -Fresh Sauce with Thyme and Rosemary, and Avignon – Fresh Sauce with Wild Garlic. This line was recognized by the judges for the overall quality of the product, the consumer appeal of all flavors, and the beautiful, eye-catching package design.
The winners of the 2022 Seafood Excellence Global awards were chosen from a field of 38 finalists representing 13 countries. The winners and finalists are on display in the Galleria, stand GA201-GB201 at Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which runs now through April 28.
The judges for the 2022 Seafood Excellence Global competition were Debby Verheyen, Retail Business Partner for Seafood and Frozen Food for Ahold Delhaize in Belgium; Daniel Diaz, Seafood Purchasing Manager for La Sirena stores in Spain; Nicholas Baroux, Seafood Director for Supermarché Match in France; Sebastian Kiel, Fish and Seafood Product Manager for Chefs Culinar in Germany; and Paula Merrigan, Head of Purchasing for Yo! Sushi in the United Kingdom. Ms. Verheyen served as chair of the jury.
The Seafood Excellence Global finalists were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation. The judges’ scores were verified by the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Photos of the winners can be viewed here.
About Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global
Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global form the world’s largest seafood trade event. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exposition to meet, network and conduct business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. SeafoodSource.com is the exposition’s official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. www.seafoodexpo.com/global
About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
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