Pescanova España and GlobeXplore took the top prizes in the 2022 Seafood Excellence Global awards at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain on 26 April, 2022.
Pontevedra, Spain-based Pescanova won the Best Retail Product grand prize for its Salmon Noodles, a protein-based pasta that the competition’s judges commended for its flavor, texture, appearance, and package design. Rosporden, France-headquartered GlobeXplore, which won the 2019 Seafood Excellence Global award for health and nutrition, took the grand prize for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) Product for its Seaweed Spread – Yuzu and Ginger, a ready-to-use sauce designed to accompany meat and vegetable dishes.
The winners, which were chosen by a panel of seafood experts who ranked the finalists based on taste, overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation, and the other 36 finalists will be on display during the three-day exposition in the Galleria, between halls 4 and 5, in the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, where the 28th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is taking place.
Pescanova España was a double winner, with its Salmon Noodles also taking 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 an innovative new way to include seafood in their diet,” the judges wrote. “The product has a Nutri-Score of A and the versatility to be used in a wide variety of preparations.”
Another double winner was Krijn Verwijs Yerseke B.V., based in Yerseke, the Netherlands. Its line of Best Aquaculture Practices-certified and organic mussels in fresh sauces, including Bangkok – Fresh Sauce with Lemongrass and Ginger, Classic – Fresh Sauce with Thyme and Rosemary, and Avignon – Fresh Sauce with Wild Garlic, won the special award for Best Seafood Product Line. Its Bangkok – Mussels in Fresh Sauce with Lemongrass and Ginger product also won the special award for Retail Packaging.
“[It is] a convenient meal for one or starter for two with a chef-made sauce that can be prepared in just three minutes,” the judges wrote. “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 percent recyclable.”
The winner of the award for health and nutrition went to Balfegó & Balfegó SL of L'Ametlla de Mar, Spain for its Balfegó Bluefin Tuna Loin. The company claims to produce “the best bluefin tuna in the world.”
“The company harvests its bluefin tuna at the optimal fat point with beautiful color and the perfect balance of flavor,” the judges wrote. “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 Tarifa, 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,” the judges wrote. “This product allows the consumer to enjoy a top-quality smoked tuna dish with zero preparation.”
The judges for the 2022 Seafood Excellence Global competition were Ahold Delhaize Retail Business Partner for Seafood and Frozen Food Debby Verheyen, La Sirena Seafood Purchasing Manager Daniel Diaz; Supermarché Match Seafood Director Nicholas Baroux; Chefs Culinar Fish and Seafood Product Manager Sebastian Kiel; and Yo! Sushi Head of Purchasing Paula Merrigan. The judges’ scores were verified by the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Photos courtesy of Diversified Communications
