Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Alaska Symphony of Seafood Entries Range From Smoked Salmon To Pet Snacks

Cold smoked sockeye salmon candy and salmon chips from 2014 grand prize winner Tilgner’s Specialized Smoked Seafood are among the 17 entries in the 2015 Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition.

So are gourmet pet snacks, including Yummy Chummies Dog Treats from Arctic Paws, Alaska Naturals Wild Seafood Pet Treats from Trident Seafoods, and wild caught salmon sticks from Copper River Seafoods.

The three pet snacks are among five entries in the competition’s new “Beyond the Plate” category established by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, which will announce the winners Feb. 21, during its Anchorage gala soiree.

The two other “Beyond the Plate” entries are a fish broth from Ed’s Kasilof Seafoods and a nutritional supplement from American Marine Ingredients.

“Beyond the Plate” is for consumer ready products made with parts of seafood that would typically be deemed fish waste or a by-product of the primary processing, such as fish oil, pet treats, fish leather and so forth, according to Julie Decker, executive director of AFDF, who notes that the seafood industry have invested heavily in development of new products from traditionally unused seafood parts. The new category will recognize improvements the industry has made to reduce fish waste, develop new products and increase the value of Alaska’s seafood, she said.

Competitors in retail competition include Trident Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods and newcomer C&H Classic Smoked Fish, which also has smoked fish entries.

In food service competition, the two competitors this year are Trident Seafoods and Pickled Willys.


The Symphony offers first place winners in each category, as well as the grand prize winner and People’s Choice award winners from galas in Seattle, Juneau and Anchorage an opportunity to market their winning entries at Seafood Expo North America, formerly the International Boston Seafood Show, March 15-17. The event is a leading trade event for seafood buyers in every market category and attracts suppliers from around the world.