Ivar’s Seafood of Seattle on Wednesday beat out 13 other entries to capture the Alaska Symphony of Seafood’s 17th annual Seattle People’s Choice Award for its Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Chowder. The contest was held at the Palace Ballroom in downtown Seattle.
"Against such strong competition, we were surprised and honored to win," said Bob Donegan, Ivar's president. "We introduced the product last summer and were pleased that it was quickly picked up by customers in Alaska! It's a delight to know that Alaskan Keta salmon make their way to Seattle, are smoked here, then mixed in our secret soup plant, and shipped back to Alaska. Alaskans really know their salmon so we’re pleased they’ve selected ours for their hotels and restaurants."
Ivar's Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Chowder will also be served in Vancouver for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. "Whistler, the resort where the alpine events will be held, picked up the product and have already sold through half the product ordered, and the games haven’t even begun," Donegan added.
A panel of judges will honor Ivar’s at an event at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on 19 February. Also at the event, the Alaska Symphony of Seafood grand prize winner, first, second and third place category winners and Anchorage People’s Choice Award winner will be named.
Established by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) in 1993, the Alaska Symphony of Seafood promotes and inspires better use of Alaska seafood and provide an opportunity for seafood companies to introduce new and innovative value-added seafood products from Alaska fisheries.
“[The contest] is a great opportunity to not only showcase these great products to the seafood industry, but also celebrate our common interests in a healthy and sustainable resource with our friends in Seattle,” said Jim Browning of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.
Last year’s Seattle People’s Choice Award winner was Trident Seafoods’ Naturals Thai Chili Salmon Fillets.
This year’s judges include Amy Muzyka-McGuire of Market Fresh Foods; Bobby Moore of Barking Frog Restaurant; Steve Cain of El Gaucho; John Fiorillo of IntraFish; Cyntha Nims of Mon Appétit; Tom Douglas of Tom Douglas Restaurants; Richard Malia of Ponti Restaurant; Noriko Ninomiya of WholeFoods; Rebekah Denn of Eat All About it; and Sam Clinton of FareStart.
This year’s sponsors include AFDF, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund, At-Sea Processors Association, Northwest Fisheries Association, Trident Seafoods, Marine Stewardship Council, Alaska Air Cargo, Alaskan Brewing Co., American Seafoods, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Copper River Seafoods and Northern Air Cargo.
