The 2024 Seafood Excellence Global Awards were held on April 23 and two French businesses emerged victorious, winning first place in their respective categories.
Parcs Saint Kerber, a company located in Cancale, France, took home the Best Retail Product award for their Oysters Trio Saint Kerber, a single retail box that holds three distinct varieties of oysters. Based in Loctudy, France With its adaptable Wakame Pickles, Algolesko took home the Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) award. This product gives chefs a creative approach to incorporate seaweed into their dishes.
The awards, which honor the best-new seafood products in the industry, were unveiled during the yearly Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global exhibition at a special ceremony held in Barcelona, Spain’s Gran Via at Fira de Barcelona.
This year’s competition received 85 submissions in all, and the 40 finalists, who were revealed in March, came from 15 different nations.
The oysters from Parcs Saint Kerber’s Oysters Trio, which are housed in a classic wooden box with seaweed within, were commended by the jury for their excellent quality and flavor. Three of Parcs Saint Kerber’s famous oysters are included in every package: the traditional European flat oyster, which has a slightly bitter aftertaste; the unique Pacific oyster, Tsarkaya, which has a slightly sweet aftertaste; and the Saint Kerber oyster, which has the saline flavor of the Bay of Mont Saint Michel.
Seaweed that has been responsibly harvested is used to make Algolesko’s Wakame Pickles, which are a crisp, fresh product flavored with vinegar, lemon, and zest. The judges commented that the Wakame Pickles may be served as part of a crudité, with oysters or other shellfish, or just as an appetizer on their own. They thought the pickles stood out for their unique flavor and the diversity they provide to a menu.
The judges also chose four other goods for special prizes in the categories of innovation, convenience, retail packaging, and seafood product line, in addition to the two grand winners.
The Vietnamese company Vinh Hoan Corporation took home the innovation award for its Lucky Bag product, which is a set of six vibrant dumplings wrapped in pangasius surimi.
With its SalmonChef line of hot smoked salmon products, which comes in five flavors—Chinese 5-Spice, Thai Ginger, Chili & Lime, Spanish Sweet Citrus, and Mexican Ancho Chile—Vega Salmon A/S of Denmark won the seafood product line prize.
The convenience category was won by Baltimore, Maryland-based Phillips Food, Inc. for their handcrafted, fully prepared Signature Lobster Cakes, which just need a quick heat before being served.
The Latitude 45 Smoked Salmon Candy Bites from Multi X in Chile took home the prize for best retail packaging. They come in a recyclable sleeve that includes details about the product’s advantages, certificates, a complete recipe, and more.
Find out more at: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/