The Kaunas, Lithuania-headquartered Vičiūnai Group and Sastamala, Finland-based Kalaneuvos Oy received Seafood Excellence Awards grand prizes at the Seafood Expo Global trade show in Barcelona, Spain, on May 6.
Kalaneuvos Oy’s Trout Bacon (pictured above) was No. 1 among nine finalists in the HORECA (Hotel/Restaurant/Catering) competition. The fillet slices, which can be cooked like cured pork bacon, either in a pan, oven or air fryer, can be utilized in pizzas, burgers, pastas, baked potato or bread fillings, or as a crispy breakfast component.
Vičiūnai bested all rivals in the retail product competition for its Cold-Smoked Atlantic Salmon Fillet with Truffles, presented as “ideal for elegant appetizers or other dishes.”
“This award has a huge impact for our Group because everyone who comes to us will know that we have something to show, something to offer, something innovative and totally different in the market,” said Šarūnas Stankevičius, the company’s head of product development.
Products from 40 finalists were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value and innovation.
The Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global event will run for three day through May 8 at the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Vía Venue, occupying 51,217 net square meters of space and featuring 2,187 exhibiting companies.
“The strong turnout of global seafood companies at this 31st edition highlights the critical need for an international platform where companies from across the industry can connect, build partnerships, do business, explore new products and technologies, and tackle shared challenges and opportunities in-person,” said Wynter Courmont, vice president of seafood for show organizer Diversified Communications.
