A new pangasius product from I&J has won a major food award in Australia.
I&J’s Crispy Battered Fish IN Chips won the Best New Foodservice Product Award at Fine Food 2019, which took place in September in Sydney, Australia.
The product consists of a pangasius fillet placed between a layer of two potato chips on the top and another two on the bottom, then encased in batter, according to David White, the executive chef at Simplot Australia, which owns the I&J brand.
Speaking with Australia’s Hospitality Magazine, White said the product is “an attractive bar snack, meal entrée, or component within a modern share platter or seafood basket.”
“Fish IN Chips has been developed as an innovative product that brings together the two great Aussie favorites of fish and chips in a contemporary presentation style that’s immediately appealing to customers,” White said.
The product is hand-assembled and exclusively uses Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified pangasius.
The I&J Fish IN Chips is sold in cartons of 100 Individually Quick Frozen 50-gram portions, and is suitable for deep-frying or oven-baking from frozen to “ready in minutes, with a hold time of 20 to 30 minutes,” according to the company.
White said he believes the product was honored with the Best New Foodservice Product Award due to “its innovative, contemporary presentation, quality, and versatility of application.”
“As an eye-catching new product, it’s already generated a lot of interest. You can serve it in so many ways – from three per bucket with a dipping sauce for fish and chips shops to a cocktail party item in a sporting or entertainment venue,” White said. “And if you take it out of the fryer and toss through your own spice mix or rub, you can create your own distinctive flavor and presentation style to suit your venue.”
Photo courtesy of Simplot Australia
