Philippine food firm bags 2012 international taste award

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.

MANILA, Philippines–The Belgium-based International Taste and Quality Institute (ITQI), a global organization of chefs and sommeliers, has conferred the 2012 Superior Taste Award to Fisher Farms, Inc. – one of the Philippines’ largest aquaculture processors – for its ‘all natural’ fish products.

In a press statement, the company said its ‘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 (ASI).

Made from 100 percent fish meat, Fisher Farms All-Natural Fish Frankfurter is the first of its kind in the world and does not have artificial preservatives and chemical ingredients. It meets US Food and Drugs Administration standards of ‘healthy’ levels of fats, sodium, and cholesterol and mimics the meaty, spicy taste of frankfurters without any trace of ‘fishiness’.

The Superior Taste Award is one of the most sought-after awards in the food and beverage world. Trend Magazine describes the award as the “Michelin Guide of Food”. The award is highly recognized by most food companies in more than 80 countries.

Fisher Farms CEO Imelda Madarang received the award with Technical Director Katherine Buenaventura.

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

Fisher Farms, Inc. is the largest aquaculture processor in the Philippines. A fully-integrated fish processor with hundreds of bangus, pompano, and tilapia fish cages throughout the country, 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 Philipines and created a wide range of innovative and export-quality fish products like fish sausages, cold cuts, and microwaveable meals.