Top honors at the 20th annual Alaska Symphony of Seafoods were
shared by Copper River Seafoods, Triad Fisheries and Aqua Cuisine, with the
grand prize going to a CRS entry – Zesty Grill Sockeye Salmon.
Zesty Grill Sockeye Salmon also placed first in the
symphony’s retail competition and was selected for the “People’s Choice” award
at the symphony’s gala in Anchorage on Feb. 23.
Triad Fisheries won the “People’s Choice” award at the
symphony’s Seattle gala for its Alaskan Sablefish Unagi Style, and the same
entry garnered Triad first place in food service competition.
Aqua Cuisine claimed first place among smoked fish entries
for its Lit’l Sammies cocktail salmon rolls.
Copper River Seafoods placed second in retail competition
with its Roasted Garlic Alaskan Cod, one of several other ready to bake and
serve fillet products that went into the retail food market in 2012. Orca Bay
Seafoods’ Teriyaki Style Sockeye Salmon Seafood Burger was the judges’ choice
for third place in retail.
Second place in food service went to Trident Seafoods for
its Seafest Alaskan Salmon Loins, and Chang International Inc. took third place
with its Sealectables Cod Fish ‘n sticks.
Trident Seafoods took second place in smoked competition with
their Smoked Sockeye Salmon Sea Salt nova style, served up on toast points at
the galas.
First place winners, as well as People’s Choice winners got
free space to promote their products at the International Boston Seafood Show
in March, along with round-trip airfare to the event.
The competition kicked off on Feb. 13 in Seattle, where
judges tasted, deliberated and selected their favorite products. Evaluations
were based on the products’ packaging and presentation, overall eating
experience, price and potential for commercial success.
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, now in its 34th
year of working on behalf of the fishing industry, encourages the development
of new retail, food service and smoked seafood products from Alaska through the
annual competition.
This year’s major sponsors, in addition to AFDF, included
the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, American Seafoods Group, Northwest Fisheries
Association, At-Sea Processors Association, Trident Seafoods, Alaska Longline
Co., Marine Stewardship Council, the city of Unalaska, Copper River Seafoods,
Alaska Air Cargo, Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association,
and Marel.
Other sponsors included NSF Seafood, Alaska Commercial
Fishing and Agriculture Bank, Alaskan brewing Co., Port of Seattle, Kwik’Pak
fisheries, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., Lynden, Pacific Seafood
Processors Association, Alaska marine Nutrition, Global Seas, United States
Seafood, Signature Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods, Young deNormandie, Pacific
Seafoods, Coastal Transportation, Ken Simpson, Columbia Bank, Northern Air
Cargo, Alaska Brand group, Westmar Co., and E&E Seafoods.