Seafood stars recognised in Boston

Salmon and shrimp products have taken the top two prizes in the 2024 Seafood Excellence Awards, announced at the Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America trade show in Boston, Massachusetts at the weekend. Highland Farms won the “Best New Retail Product” award for its Salmon Salami and Social Kitchens Professional/SK Foods Brands won the “Best New Foodservice Product” award for its Premium Shrimp Sliders. The Highland Farms entry is based on Atlantic salmon from Scotland, Norway and Iceland, air-dried for 14 days and cured over fragrant beechwood at the company’s smokehouse in Cumbria, in the north west of England. The company said: “This premium delicacy embodies the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and exceptional taste.” Premium Shrimp Sliders, from US-based Social Kitchens Professional / SK Food Brands, is described as a “premium slider… made with solid chunks of shrimp. No binders, fillers, scraps or gluten.” [caption id="attachment_160103" align="aligncenter" width="183"] Highland Farms' Salmon Salami[/caption] The 2024 winners were selected from a group of 11 finalists during a live judging this morning by a panel of seafood buyers and industry experts from the retail and foodservice industries. This year’s judges included Jason Driskill, Vice President, Seafood at HEB, Bob Donegan, President, Ivar’s Restaurants and Robin Fisher, Director of Corporate Purchasing, HF Foods Group. 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. Out of a total of 70 entries, 11 finalists were previously selected through a screening of market-ready products participating in the Seafood Expo North America New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase features seafood products, condiments and culinary dishes that have been introduced in the past 18 months to the North American market and by companies exhibiting at this year’s expo. Each finalist’s product, and all other new products submitted for the competition, are on display in the Wave Makers’ Zone at the show.