Thunder’s Catch won the “Best New Retail Product” award for its Wild Salmon Chowder and Netuno USA won the “Best New Foodservice Product” award for its Tambaqui Ribs. Winners were selected from a group of finalists during a live judging yesterday by a panel of seafood buyers and industry experts from the retail and foodservice industries.
A hearty, creamy chowder made with large chunks of smoked Wild Alaskan Sockeye, potatoes, corn, celery, and carrots. This Smoked Salmon Chowder was prepared by hand with fresh, quality ingredients and wild caught Alaska Sockeye salmon - sustainably harvested aboard the company's boat, F/V Thunder, in the icy waters of Bristol Bay, Alaska.
This year’s judges included Jeff Meagher, Business Development Manager, Performance Foodservice; Al Baroudi, Vice President, QA & Food Safety, The Cheesecake Factory; and Douglas Varanai, Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Sprouts.
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.
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.
Netuno's Tambaqui — closely related to the pacu fish — is farm raised in the clean waters of the Amazon, in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Omnivorous, no fish meal or fish oil is needed for feeding. Tambaqui ribs- also referred to as pacu ribs- are ideal alternatives for non beef or chicken consumers in BBQ and Fried wings restaurants.
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America is North America’s largest seafood trade event, drawing seafood professionals from around the world, including 1,141 exhibiting companies from 49 countries.
About Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America is North America’s largest seafood exposition. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do 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. The exposition is sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute. SeafoodSource is the official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media.