Prepared Foods showcases new meat, poultry, and seafood debuting in June 2019.

Grecian Delight Foods, Elk Grove Village, Ill., earned two of the National Restaurant Association’s 2019 Food and Beverage Awards (FABI) for the company’s Natural Halal Shawarma Slices and Al Pastor Pork Slices—both under the ReadyCarved brand.

Officials say Natural Halal Shawarma Slices feature whole muscle, premium cuts of meat marinated in a delicate blend of Mediterranean spices. The marinated Halal meat cuts are then hand-stacked by artisan carvers to 500lb. cones, flame broiled, robotically sliced and individually quick frozen to lock in “cone-carved” freshness and flavor. The meats are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and come with a MSG free spice blend. Available in Chicken and Beef/Lamb varieties.

Grecian Delight’s ReadyCarved Al Pastor Slices feature premium pork cuts marinated in a blend of savory chilies, garlic powder, and spices. The marinated pork cuts are then hand-stacked by artisan carvers to 500 lb. cones, flame broiled, robotically sliced and individually quick frozen to lock in cone-carved freshness and flavor. This authentic Central Mexico street food is said to have arrived in Mexico with their Lebanese immigrants, based on the Mediterranean shawarma of their homeland. Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. MSG free spice blend.

This spring saw Tyson Foodservice, Springdale, Ark., introduce four offerings that strike a balance between flavor and fun. 

“Consumers’ tastes and dining habits continue to evolve. But one thing remains unchanged: they love chicken. You can bring new excitement to this popular protein when you turn to Tyson Foodservice for inspiration,” the company says.

Emphasizing flavor are a new Precision Cooked Chicken and Nashville Hot Chicken. Tyson says the Precision Cooked Chicken, a sous vide prepared item, comes in three premium options and is fully cooked to speed up prep and assure food safety. The sous vide process lets each product cook in its own juices to create an amazingly tender texture and neutral flavor.

Operators can feature one of market’s hottest flavor sensations in sandwiches, appetizers and more—with Tyson’s Nashville Hot Chicken. A chef-developed recipe creates authentic appeal and product comes prepared to reduce prep time and ensure consistency.

Two new portable, fun offerings are Tyson Chicken Chips, which feature two popular chip-flavored breadings; and Mini Chicken Corn Dogs, which feature ground chicken with whole grain breading.

Foodservice distributor US Foods, Rosemont, Ill., included several new poultry and seafood items in its 2019 “Spring Scoop” new products line. 
New Harbor Banks private label seafood offerings include Corkscrew Calamari and Skinless Barramundi. Officials say the wild-caught, responsibly sourced calamari cooks from frozen in a couple of minutes. Lightly dusted and seasoned with salt and pepper, it boasts a crispy exterior ready for sauces, dips and a splash of lemon. US Foods notes the Barramundi comes with a four-star BAP certification to address interests in sustainable seafood options.

Separately, US Foods introduced five new chicken and turkey products and officials note that all birds were raised without antibiotics.

New under US Foods’ Chef’s Line brand are Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Chunks and All Natural Fire Grilled Chicken Breast. The crispy chicken chunks are an all-natural, whole-muscle product with a gluten-free breading. Fire Grilled Chicken Breast is fully cooked and never frozen. Fire-grilling gives it char marks. It comes vacuum-packed, refrigerated and ready to serve either chilled or reheated.

New to US Foods’ Patuxent Farms line is All Natural Ground Dark Turkey, All Natural Oven Roasted Chicken Wings and All Natural Turkey Sausage Patties.