Seafood Expo North America Names Seafood Excellence Awards Winners

The 2016 Seafood Excellence Awards winners were announced at Seafood Expo North America. French Creek Seafoods won the “Best New Retail” award for its Kickin’ Seafood Chili and Trident Seafoods won the “Best New Foodservice” award for its SeaFusions Pacific Cod Bites. 

Winners were selected from a group of finalists during a live judging by a panel of seafood buyers and industry experts from the retail and foodservice industries.  This year’s judges included Jennifer Wandler from U.S. Foods, Sunita Seran from Loblaws, and Stan Harvey from The Cheesecake Factory.

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.