Aquamar’s Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp Selected as Finalist in the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards
March 9, 2026 | 5 min to read
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – Aquamar’s Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp has been selected as a finalist in the Best New Retail Product category for the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards. Winners of the competition will be selected and announced on March 15, 2026, at 3:30pm ET in the new Wave Makers’ Zone during the 44th edition of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America which takes place March 15-17, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, USA.
Aquamar Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp features a recipe developed by international award-winning Certified Master Chef (CMC) Brad Barnes, one of the few chefs in the United States to hold this prestigious CMC designation. Developed in Italian kitchens using authentic Italian ingredients, Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp deliver a chef-inspired comfort dish in minutes, pairing a crispy rice crumb coating with a creamy risotto center packed with cheesy cacio e pepe flavor and tender shrimp. 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, making it ideal for busy food lovers who want an impressive, crowd-pleasing dish that feels gourmet yet is simple to prepare.
“Seafood is quickly becoming the protein of choice for consumers who want nutrition, flavor and sustainability all in one,” said Chef Brad Barnes, CMC and culinary leader behind Aquamar’s product innovation. “At the same time, today’s consumers are looking for elevated culinary experiences that don’t require hours in the kitchen. Aquamar’s Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp deliver on both fronts, combining premium seafood with bold, on-trend flavors and the kind of simplicity that fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles.”
The Seafood Excellence Awards recognizes the product leaders in the North American seafood market and the products selected as finalists will be evaluated by three seafood industry experts based on the product’s uniqueness and appropriateness to the market, taste profile, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality.
The Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp is a perfect example of Aquamar’s commitment to create products that better address the needs of today’s consumers and operators. Aquamar’s products live uniquely at the intersection of unmatched taste and surprising convenience. As a brand, Aquamar is committed to the belief that everyone should have access to delicious, affordable protein. The company’s focus on convenient, sustainable, culinary-driven seafood is helping make that a reality.
Aquamar’s Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp will be on display in the New Product Showcase in the Wave Makers’ Zone (booth #3165) during the three-day event. For more information about the product, please visit SENA’S website.
About Aquamar
Aquamar is where innovative California energy meets serious seafood know-how. Backed by decades of surimi expertise, proprietary production technology and expanding operational capabilities, Aquamar crafts premium surimi and craveable, convenient seafood that delivers on flavor, quality and consistency across North America.
Born in California and fueled by a surf-inspired spirit, Aquamar has always pushed beyond the expected; reimagining how seafood fits into modern life. From pioneering surimi-based seafood alternatives to helping popularize the California roll, the brand has been at the forefront of making seafood more approachable, versatile and convenient since 1991.
Today, Aquamar operates SQF-certified facilities in the Los Angeles and New York City regions and proudly participates in the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification program, pairing culinary creativity with responsible sourcing. Follow Aquamar at aquamarseafood.com or on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.