Frozen products are high fliers among 12 finalists in the Seafood Excellence Awards competition that will culminate during the three-day Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America gathering in Boston. Winners will be announced on March 15, at 3:30 PM ET in the Wave Makers’ Zone set up at the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center.
Among the finalists, selected out of a list of market-ready products that are launching or have been introduced in North America during the past 18 months, are companies whose entries have been judged as unique to the market and excel in taste profile, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality.
The 2026 finalists were selected from 108 entries in the expo’s New Product Showcase and compete for two awards: Best New Foodservice Product and Best New Retail Product. Each finalist’s product, and all other new products submitted for the competition, will be displayed in the Wave Makers’ Zone (booth #3165).
The finalists in the foodservice category are:
• Trident Seafoods (USA)
Crispy Battered Sauceable Nuggets (pictured above) – Booth #805)
Distributed in frozen form, this crispy, bite-sized, flavor-flexible protein features sustainable Wild Alaska Pollock. Made for bold menus and busy kitchens, its neutral-savory battered coating delivers desirable texture and flavor on its own or can be easily elevated with a wide range of sauces, making it ideal for global flavor profiles, seasonal LTOs, and customizable menu builds. This nuggets hold their crispy texture even when sauced and hot-held for an hour.
• King & Prince Seafood (USA)
Mrs. Friday’s Honey Butter Biscuit Wild Alaska Pollock 2-3 oz. — Booth #505
Sweet meets savory with this Honey Butter Biscuit Pollock offering. Sourced from Alaskan waters, the high quality MSC-Certified Pollock (pictured below) offers a light, flaky, mild-tasting bite that pairs well with the brand’s signature honey butter biscuit coating. With a homestyle look and versatile menu applications, it delivers consistency, ease and dining appeal.
• Azuma Foods International Inc. (USA)
Tako Wasabi — Booth #2686
A staple of Japan’s izakaya casual pub culture, the delicacy of this product (seen below) features marinated premium raw octopus that boasts a snappy texture and a deep umami finish, highlighted by the kick of wasabi. Reimagining traditional Japanese marination techniques for the modern palate, it is a high-protein asset that may be served solo or as a bold fusion topping.
Retail Category Finalists
• Cox’s Wholesale Seafood LLC (USA)
Wild Caught American Shrimp, Kickin Tikka Masala — Booth #909
Made with 100% USA-sourced wild-caught shrimp, this product delivers 23 grams of protein per serving with no chemicals or preservatives. Sustainably harvested and crafted with simple, clean ingredients, it meets the rising demand for health and transparency. Portioned and ready to plate in five minutes, this portioned product transforms frozen seafood into a refined, effortless meal solution. Offered in five chef-inspired flavors, it brings elevated taste, nutrition and sustainability together.
• Angel Oak Smokehouse (USA) Angel Oak Hot Smoked Salmon Ravioli — Booth #3352
Angel Oak brings hot smoked salmon into an entirely new format by pioneering its use as a premium pasta filling, expanding the category beyond conventional presentations. Combined with creamy ricotta, bright lemon zest and chives in ravioli, it delivers robust, complex flavors with flaky texture. Each package of eight ravioli packs 38 grams of protein, making it as nutritious as it is indulgent.
• Aquamar (USA)
Aquamar Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp — Booth #1057
This product (pictured below) features a crunchy rice coating filled with a creamy, cheesy, cracked black peppery shrimp risotto developed by international award-winning Certified Master Chef Brad Barnes. Designed for effortless indulgence, the cakes heat quickly in an air fryer or oven, giving consumers the rich taste and texture of restaurant-quality risotto without the time or skill required to make it from scratch. The product stands out as a premium, elevated freezer option that balances convenience with bold flavor.
• DOM International Limited (Canada)
DOM Reserve Salmon Sashimi Singles 8x525g — Booth #2405
This pre-sliced, restaurant-quality sashimi comes in convenient individually sealed portions. Frozen to preserve peak freshness, each tray includes nicely paired soy sauce and wasabi. With five trays per box, it’s ideal for quick snacks, effortless appetizers, or on-the-go meals – simply thaw and serve.
• Echo Falls Seafoods (USA)
Echo Falls Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Party Slices — Booth #1522
These smoked salmon slices are promoted as an ideal choice for party appetizers. Premium Norwegian Atlantic salmon is delicately smoked over beechwood, then sliced for effortless serving. With three distinct flavors – Pepper, Traditional and Dill – this sampler provides a variety of tastes to enjoy from one platter.
• Icy Waters, LLC (USA)
The Good Fish Co. — Coconut Margarita Haddock — Booth #3444
This 6-oz. single-serving size Atlantic Haddock fillet distributed is crusted with an everything topping and a tequila, coconut and lime sauce. The fish is topped with an everything seasoning and the product includes a sauce packet to apply as a finishing sauce towards the end of cooking. The two-step cooking process evokes a “home cooked” feel by adding the sauce at the end.
• Multi X S.A. (Chile)
Latitude 45 Ceviche — Booth #841
Latitude 45 Ceviche is a new grab-and-go product designed to meet the growing demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meal solutions. Featuring lightly smoked salmon cubes paired with ceviche-style seasoning and an included spoon, the Ceviche delivers a flavorful experience in a modern, portable format that fits perfectly for on-the-go lifestyles.
• Thunder’s Catch (USA)
Alaska Fisherman’s Cioppino — Booth #1739
This product (pictured above) draws inspiration from the traditional coastal fisherman’s stew – made with whatever the sea provided that day. At its heart is wild Alaska Sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, complemented by shrimp and clams sourced from Pacific coastal fisheries. Simmered in a slow-developed tomato and wine broth with fennel, roasted garlic and herbs, it delivers deep, layered flavor and a vibrant, rustic presentation.
• St. James Smokehouse, Inc. (USA)
Saint — Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon — Booth #3253
Saint Pure Fruit Wood Smoked Salmon with Limoncello is handcrafted using traditional dry-curing and gentle fruit wood smoking, then infused with authentic Italian Limoncello made from Amalfi Coast lemons. Bright citrus notes balance the salmon’s buttery richness, creating a light, refined flavor that moves smoked salmon beyond breakfast into lunch and dinner occasions. Ideal for salads, pastas and entertaining platters, each 4 oz pack delivers 24 grams of ready-to-eat protein and is high in omega-3, offering a convenient way to enjoy premium smoked salmon.
