Product submissions for the 26th annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood contest are now being accepted, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) announced on Monday, 10 September.
Entry forms and fees for the competition, which highlights value-added products made from Alaska seafood, will be collected until 19 October, the AFDF said. As in years past, competing products for the Alaska Symphony of Seafood will be grouped into four categories: Retail, Foodservice, Beyond the Plate, and Beyond the Egg. Newer categories Beyond the Plate and Beyond the Egg have been gaining more momentum recently, according to AFDF Executive Director Julie Decker, as utilization of byproducts and roe have generated more market interest.
“A significant portion of the value and health benefits in any fishery resource is found in the byproducts and roe. The Symphony is continuing to encourage and promote new product development in these particular categories which has an overall effect of increasing the value of the resource, improving nutritional output, and reducing waste – a win‐win‐win,” said Decker. “We are pleased to continue to offer these categories, Beyond the Plate and Beyond the Egg, which also reflect exciting recent trends and investments in the seafood industry.”
All products entered into the competition will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges, who will consider each entry’s packaging, presentation, overall eating experience, price, and potential for commercial success. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners from each category. An overall grand prize winner will also be chosen, with Seattle People’s Choice and Juneau People’s Choice products recognized as well.
First place winners will be bestowed with complimentary booth space, as well as free airfare courtesy of Alaska Air Cargo, for Seafood Expo North America (SENA), taking place in Boston, Massachusetts in March 2019. These products will be automatically entered into SENA’s New Product Showcase and Seafood Excellence Awards, too, according to AFDF.
First place award winners for each category will be announced during Pacific Marine Expo, taking place in Seattle from 18 to 20 November, while overall grand prize, second and third place awards in each category, and the “Juneau People’s Choice” will be revealed at the end of the Juneau Legislative Reception, co‐hosted by the AFDF and the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA).
Chefs, manufacturers, buyers, sellers, and media will be invited to vote on their favorite product during an upcoming Seattle Open House reception in Seattle, Washington. The award emerging from this process – the “Seattle People’s Choice” – will be announced at the end of the event.
