The votes are in for Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ 2018 Best New Retail Products contest. Congratulations to CAULIPOWER, Los Angeles, for taking fourth place for its Cauliflower Crust Pizza.

Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods and the creator of the Best New Retail Products contest, talked exclusively with Gail Becker, founder and CEO, to discuss the “winning” product and what’s in store for the future.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: First off, congratulations on placing FOURTH in Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ 2018 Best New Retail Products contest. What does this recognition mean to you, your company, your products and your consumers?

Gail Becker: CAULIPOWER was imagined out of listening to what people wanted, so it’s incredibly affirming to be recognized from experts in the space, be surrounded by great company, and most importantly, feel the love from our pizza fans.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Your new retail product—Cauliflower Crust Pizza—was nominated by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ editor-in-chief, Marina Mayer. What unique and innovative features does this new product hold that would allow it to even be nominated?

Becker: Our cauliflower-crust pizza doesn’t hide vegetables – in fact, it celebrates them. The naturally gluten-free pizzas are lower in calories, sugar, fat and sodium and higher in protein, fiber and vitamins than most traditional and gluten-free pizzas, all while being naturally nutrient-rich, and of course, delicious.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: This new product is said to be the first frozen cauliflower-crust pizza. What does this say about the future of the frozen pizza category?

Becker: We all know that the frozen section is growing and getting healthier. The future of frozen has the industry leading with innovation and better ingredients because customers are demanding it. I would say the future of frozen looks healthy. 

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Why create this new product?

Becker: I was inspired by my two sons with celiac. When they were young and their friends came over for lunch, they never wanted their friends to see their comparatively less appetizing gluten-free pizzas, let alone have to eat them. I always had to buy separate. Ever since, I’ve been taken with the idea of everyone coming together over the same meal, sharing the same food. The cauliflower crust was born on the internet because people wanted it. All I did was listen.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Any unique features to the product’s packaging?

Becker: The pizza’s meme-like packaging captures our signature, fun personality that celebrates healthy hacks without taking ourselves too seriously. Nothing goes better with pizza than a smile.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: What is on the horizon for your company come 2018 into 2019?

Becker: CAULIPOWER will continue to lead with innovation in the frozen aisle—stay tuned!

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Anything else to add to the conversation of new product development? Anything you’d like to share with our readers that hasn’t been discussed?

Becker: I’m incredibly grateful to all of the retailers for their response to our products and how welcoming the industry has been to a newcomer like CAULIPOWER. It’s a privilege that drives – and inspires - us every day.