A new retail seafood product from Oregon Seafoods was the big winner at the Alaska Symphony of Seafood Seattle Open House on 25 January.
Oregon Seafoods’ SeaFare Pacific Salmon Chowder was named the “Seattle People’s Choice,” after guests voted on their favorites at the event, which was hosted by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.
“It was a close contest this year. The competition was strong from Coppa with the company’s Candied Salmon Ice Cream coming in second by only one vote,” said AFDF Executive Director Julie Decker.
Mike Babcock, founder of Oregon Seafoods, credited his company’s win on its decision to use “only the best ingredients” for its smoked salmon chowder, including wild Alaska sockeye salmon.
“We have a commitment to add value to U.S.-caught seafood and provide a way for consumers to add heart healthy fish to their diets,” Babcock said.
AFDF also held the professional judging for the entire Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition in four different categories: Retail, Foodservice, Beyond the Plate and Beyond the Egg. The results of the judging will be kept confidential until 22 February, when they will be announced at the Legislative Reception and Award Ceremony in Juneau, Alaska.
First place winners from each category will receive complimentary booth space at Seafood Expo North America, taking place 19 to 21 March in Boston, Massachusetts, along with free airfare to and from the show provided by Alaska Airlines.
Retail entrants include: Alaska Smoked Sockeye Salmon and Alaska Salmon Bites from Authentic Alaska – Dear North, Sockeye Spinach Feta Salmon Burger from Odyssey, Sockeye Salmon Bisque from Bambinos Baby Food, Louis Kemp Hawaiian Poke Snackits from Trident Seafoods, Orca Bay's Jjamppong (Korean seafood noodle soup) from Orca Bay and SeaFare Pacific Salmon Chowder from Oregon Seafoods.
Foodservice entrants are: Canned Smoked Sockeye from Deckhand Seafoods, Sealegs Real Simple Surimi from Trident Seafoods, Orca Bay’s Albondigas (Mexican seafood soup) from Orca Bay, Seafood Cakes with Dungeness from Odyssey and Candied Salmon Ice Cream from Coppa.
The Beyond the Plate category includes three entrants: Salmon Leather Clutch from Tidal Vision; Alaska Naturals Alaska Salmon Pet Oil from Trident Seafoods; Crystal Clarity, a chitosan-based pool and spa clarifier from Tidal Vision; and Salmon Leather Tote Bag from Salmon Sisters.
Beyond the Egg entrants are Bruce Gore Coho Salmon Bottarga from Triad Fisheries and Kasu Alaska Pollock Roe from Trident Seafoods.
