Food Export-Northeast partners with the overseas offices of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) whenever possible to raise awareness about Northeast U.S. seafood products in global markets. In recent months, American lobster was in the spotlight as part of creative foodservice promotions in both Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In cooperation with the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) of the American Institute of Taiwan, American lobster was featured on menus as part of a U.S. Sustainable Seafood Festival from October 25 through November 15, 2023. The promotion took place at select restaurants managed by renown Taiwan foodservice operator, Hi-Lai Foods, including at a number of its Harbor Buffet seafood outlets throughout the country, its fine dining seafood hot pot restaurant, its PAVO bistro and its Cantonese Jade Garden restaurant.
The partnership with Hi-Lai provided a great chance to introduce new customers to U.S. seafood and to provide those already familiar with fresh ideas on how to prepare their favorite delicacies. The lobster sandwich and pumpkin soup with lobster (pictured below) was a particularly popular dish during the promotion. Not only were diners won over by the succulent American lobster, but the restaurants’ chefs commented that lobster products were a “superhero during these crazy labor shortage times” and that American lobster is a “breeze to whip up and saves the day.” Hi-Lai Foods chefs were so enthused about the quality and sustainability of American lobster products, that the operator has integrated them permanently into their restaurant menus since the promotion ended.
American lobster also won acclaim during a monthlong promotion with two Chef’s Stage Kitchen outlets in Hong Kong which began on January 18, 2024, and coincided with the Lunar New Year celebrations. The promotion was coordinated by Food Export-Northeast’s Hong Kong In-Market Representative in collaboration with the ATO in Hong Kong. To kick off the event, a tasting session was hosted at the Tseung Kwan O restaurant, with Jennifer Clever, Director of ATO Hong Kong, and Section Chief for Public Affairs, Christine Meyer, of the Consulate General of the U.S., Hong Kong, and Macau.
During the month, the Yuen Long outlet showcased six new American lobster recipes on its menu while its sister restaurant, Tseung Kwan O, featured four dishes. Baked American lobster tail with garlic butter, lobster linguine, lobster risotto and lobster bisque were dishes that won high acclaim from customers. The restaurants raised awareness of the promotion through social media and website posts, as well as point-of-sale materials such as custom menu cards, posters, and window stickers. Chef’s Stage Kitchen’s customers greatly enjoyed celebrating their Lunar New Year with American lobster at the center of the plates as sales of the special dishes exceeded expectations.
About Food Export USA–Northeast
With its extensive programs and educational offerings, Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export-Northeast) is recognized as the preeminent expert and cost-effective resource for northeast seafood and agricultural suppliers looking to sell their products overseas. Founded in 1973, Food Export-Northeast is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with its 10 member states’ agricultural promotion agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, to facilitate trade between suppliers and worldwide importers and to promote the export of food, agricultural and seafood products from those states. The organization is funded through the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Learn more about us and what we do for the Northeast seafood industry here. Contact us.