Stuehrk Delikatessen Import GmbH & Co. of Marne, Germany, and Royal Greenland of Aalborg, Denmark, took the gold at the eighth annual Seafood Prix d'Elite new products competition during the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, Belgium, today.
The winners were selected from a field of 40 finalists and announced during a reception in Auditorium 2000 of the Brussels Exhibition Grounds.
Stuehrk Delikatessen Import captured the best new retail product for its Bear Biter, a line of Alaska sockeye salmon strips dry slated by hand, traditionally cold smoked and marinated in a variety of flavors. The product is packed under modified atmosphere in transparent packaging and certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council of London. The judges were impressed by the quality of the product and its unique flavor offerings.
Royal Greenland grabbed the best new foodservice product for its Salmon Tournedos, Atlantic salmon portions wrapped in Danish bacon. The product is portion controlled, individually frozen and easy to prepare in the oven, pan or grill. The judges praised the convenience and consistent size and weight of the product and enjoyed the salmon and bacon flavor combination.
In addition to the two grand prizes, the judges presented five special awards:
Stuehrk Delikatessen Import's Bear Biter was also recognized with an award for seafood product line. Again, the judges commended the product's extensive range of flavor offerings, including herb butter, plum and cognac, lemon pepper, balsamic and mustard, hot mango, honey mustard, pepper and natural.
King Prawn & Mussel Marinière a la Crème from Lyons Seafoods Ltd. of Warminster, the United Kingdom, received a prize for convenience. The product features large farmed warmwater king prawns and Irish rope-grown mussels from Bantry Bay in a cream marinière sauce. Packed in individual, portion-controlled servings, the product can be quickly microwaved from frozen.
The award for health and nutrition was given to Apero Spoons from Levenstond Seafood of Vlijtingen, Belgium . The product comprises sliced salmon, a tartare of scallops and sliced mango individually presented in reusable, transparent spoons. Ideal for a social gathering, the six spoons are arranged on a transparent, table-ready tray.
Juniper Berry Cured Salmon & Cured Haddock with Two Nordic Compotes from Rahbekfish A/S of Fredericia, Denmark, received a prize for retail packaging. Inspired by Japanese sashimi, the product features salmon and haddock cured in the traditional Nordic method and offered with two compotes made from berries and vegetables common to Norway, including sea buckthorn berry and carrot, and green tomato and horseradish.
The prize for originality was handed to a new farmed fish species, Claresse®, from Anova Food b/v of 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands (hall 6, stand 1023). A freshwater fish, Claresse is a cross between two catfish varieties. The judges complimented the product's firm texture and smooth flavor and absence of an excessively fishy taste. Raised sustainably in the Netherlands, Claresse is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
The 40 Seafood Prix d'Elite finalists originated from companies in France, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, Germany, Norway, Turkey, Spain, Vietnam and Ireland. The products were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value and originality.
The judges included Maria Morales Almeida, fresh goods purchasing for Grupo Eroski in Spain; Tam Nguyen, private label and import manager for Système U in France; Olivier De Coster, category manager for Delhaize Group in Belgium; and Peter Joyner, marketing director-contracts for Elior in the United Kingdom. Joyner served as chairman of the judges.
The judges' scores were verified by the Ernst & Young accounting firm.
