WINNERS

company has no plans as of now to expand internationally, and is continuing to focus on domestic markets.

Faroe Islands-based salmon producer Bakkafrost, meanwhile, was recognized for its Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon Side, which won “Best New Foodservice Product” at the 2022 Seafood Excellence Awards.

“It’s totally unique because it’s salmon that smoked from our native Hebridean fish, which are originally from wild rootstock from the Hebridean Islands, right on the northwest of Scotland,” Bakkafrost Scotland Communications and New Business Development Director Su Cox said in 2022, fresh off of the win.

The Native Hebridean Salmon is cured and smoked using a traditional island recipe. Bakkafrost uses pebblelined kilns and wood shavings from aged whisky barrels in its preparation process to add a unique taste of the Scottish Hebridean Islands, Cox said.

“We now farm-raise these and process and smoke them locally. And the smoking process is also very special. The Hebridean salmon smokes beautifully because it’s firm, not oily, and you get good consistent colors,” she said.

2022 Seafood Excellence Awards finalists in the foodservice category included Bakkafrost, Handy Seafood, Netuno USA, and Seagrove Kelp Co. The finalists for the retail category were DOM International Limited, Neptune Snacks, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Pacific Seafood, Pescanova USA, and Kitchens Seafood Inc. The finalists were selected from a group of more than 40 products.

This year’s Seafood Excellence Awards will be announced on Sunday, 12 March, 2023 at the Demonstration Theater in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. All finalists’ and winners’ products will be on display in the New Product Showcase for the three-day duration of Seafood Expo North America/ Seafood Processing North America.