PH’s fish hotdog bags international award

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine company has bagged the 2012 Superior Taste Award in Belgium for its all natural fish frankfurter.

The Belgium-based International Taste and Quality Institute, which is a global organization of chefs and sommeliers, conferred the award to Fisher Farms, Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest aquaculture processors.

Fisher Farms CEO Imelda Madarang (3rd from right) and Technical Director Kate Buenaventura receive the 2012 Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Quality Institute during the awarding ceremony in Brussels, Belgium

The award, which is described as the “Michelin Guide of Food,” is one of the most sought-after awards in the food and beverage world. It is highly recognized by the food industry in more than 80 countries.

Fisher Farms’ so-called “All-Natural Fish Frankfurter” got the nod of judges from 13 of the most prestigious European culinary and sommelier associations like the Maîtres Cuisiniers of France and Belgium, Academy of Culinary Arts, Hellenic Chefs' Association, Académie Culinaire of France, Verband der Köche Deutschlands, Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe, the Federación de Asociaciones de Cocineros of Spain, Federerazione dei Cuochi Italiana, Portuguese Chefs Association, Årets Kock of Sweden, Euro-Toques and the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

The All-Natural Fish Frankfurter is the first in the world and does not have artificial preservatives. It mimics the meaty and spicy taste of frankfurters without the taste of “fish.”

Fisher Farms chief executive Imelda Madarang received the award with technical director Katherine Buenaventura in Brussels.

“Fisher Farms is honored to be the first Filipino food company to receive this distinction,” Madarang said. “We hope this award highlights Filipinos’ ability to create innovative world-class products out of our indigenous agricultural and aquatic resources.”

Fisher Farms exports fish products to the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Europe. It has established strong business ties with large quick service restaurant chains in the Philippines and created a wide range of innovative and export-quality fish products like fish sausages, cold cuts, and microwaveable meals.