The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has announced
deadlines for entries to and gala soirees for the 20th anniversary Alaska
Symphony of Seafood new products contest, with events in February in Seattle
and Anchorage.
The call for products applications are now available online
at http://www.symphonyofseafood.com. The deadline for entering
the competition is Jan. 16. Considered products must be market ready (in
commercial production) by the date of the competition. The Seattle reception is
planned for Feb. 13, and contest winners will be announced at the Anchorage
gala soiree on Feb. 23.
Overall grand prize, first, second and third place winners
in the retail, food service and smoked products categories are kept
confidential until Feb. 23.
Judges will be reviewing and tasting entries in Seattle,
where chefs, manufacturers, buyers, sellers and media invited to the event will
also get to vote on the “Seattle People’s Choice Award,” to be announced there.
Guests at the Anchorage event will also get to vote, for the “Anchorage
People’s Choice Award.”
First place winners in each category get complimentary booth
space at the International Boston Seafood Show in March, plus free airfare to
the event.
AFDF executive director Jim Browning says that over the
years more than 350 new products have been featured at Alaska Symphony of
Seafood events, and that winning products have accounted for millions of
dollars in seafood sales.
Grand prize winners are often major seafood producers. The
big surprise in the 2012 competition was the Tustumena Smokehouse on the Kenai
Peninsula with “Kylee’s Alaskan Salmon Bacon. Also tops in their categories
were Tracy’s Alaskan King Crab Bisque by Tracy’s King Crab Shack, Sweet Potato
Crunch Alaska Pollock Sticks by American Pride Seafoods, and Aqua Cuisine’s
Naturally Smoked Salmon Franks by Aqua Cuisine Inc. AFDF officials said all
were a hit at the International Boston Seafood Show.
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