Top honors at Seafood Prix d’Elite

The winners were selected from a field of 40 finalists and were announced this evening at a special Seafood Prix d’Elite reception. Stuehrk Delikatessen Import GmbH of Marne, Germany took the top award for best new retail product with its entry, Bear Biter, a line of cold smoked wild Alaska salmon strips that are marinated in a variety of innovative flavors. The product is packed under modified atmosphere in a transparent retail pack and is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. The judges particularly noted the quality of the salmon and the unique flavor offerings in this line. In the foodservice category, the top prize was given to Royal Greenland of Aalborg, Denmark for its product, Salmon Tournedos -- 100% Atlantic salmon portions wrapped with Danish bacon. The product is individually frozen and portion controlled for an easy and fast-to-prepare, high quality menu offering. The judges felt this product provided chefs with a premium restaurant item, with the added convenience of a consistent size and weight. They also appreciated the flavor combination of bacon and salmon. In addition to the two grand prizes, the judges also gave five special awards: Retail prize winner Stuehrk Delikatessen Import’s “Bear Biter” was also presented with a Seafood Prix d’Elite special award for Seafood Product Line. The retail line of cold smoked wild Alaska sockeye salmon strips comes in a range of interesting flavors including, herb butter, plum & cognac, lemon pepper, balsamic & mustard, hot mango, honey mustard, pepper, and natural. Transparent packaging gives the retail consumer a full view of the product. King Prawn & Mussel Marinière a la Crème from Lyons Seafoods Ltd. of Warminster, United Kingdom was awarded the Seafood Prix d’Elite special award for Convenience. Going beyond the classic Moules Marinière, this product features large, succulent, farmed warm water King Prawns and Irish rope-grown mussels from Bantry Bay in a classic cream marinière sauce. Packed in individual, portion-controlled servings, it can be quickly microwaved from frozen for an easy menu solution. The Seafood Prix d’Elite special prize for Health & Nutrition was won by Levenstond Seafood of Vlijtingen, Belgium for its product Apero Spoons. A healthy party offering, Apero Spoons feature fresh sliced salmon, a tartare of scallops, and fresh cut mango individually presented in reusable, transparent spoons. Six spoons are arranged together on a transparent master tray that is ready to place on the table. Rahbekfish A/S of Fredericia, Denmark was given the Seafood Prix d’Elite special award for Retail Packaging for its Juniper Berry Cured Salmon & Cured Haddock with Two Nordic Compotes. This modern dish inspired by Japanese sashimi has a Nordic twist. Salmon and haddock are cured in the traditional Nordic method, and are offered with two compotes made from berries and vegetables common in the region – sea buckthorn berry and carrot, and green tomato and horseradish. A new aquaculture species, Claresse®, from Anova Food b/v in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands was presented with a Seafood Prix d’Elite special award for Originality. The freshwater fish is a natural cross between two varieties of the catfish family. It has a firm texture and smooth flavor without an excessively fishy taste. Sustainably grown in the Netherlands, Claresse® also contains valuable nutrients and is rich in omega-3.