The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation yesterday announced that the 16th annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood New Products Contest will be held in Seattle on Feb. 11, 2009, at FareStart banquet facility. The call for submissions is out now.
The event gives fisheries and seafood promoters the opportunity to introduce new and innovative value-added Alaska seafood products and gain exposure with industry and culinary experts, seafood distributors and national media. The goal is to inspire better use of Alaska's natural seafood resources.
"We're thrilled to hold the new products contest in Seattle again this year," says Jim Browning, executive director of AFDF. "It is a great opportunity to showcase these amazing products to the seafood industry and its many friends."
Each participant in the contest is grouped into one of three categories: retail (salmon, whitefish or shellfish), foodservice (salmon, whitefish or shellfish) or smoked products. A panel of expert judges will individually evaluate entries during a private judging session. Judges will look at the packaging and presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success.
After the judges review and taste the products, the chefs, manufacturers, buyers, sellers and media are invited to vote on their favorite product at the Seattle Open House, which is by invitation only. This "Seattle People's Choice Award" will be announced at the conclusion.
The overall grand prize, first-, second- and third-place winners of each category are kept confidential until Feb. 19, when the results are announced at the Gala Soirée in Anchorage, Alaska. The "Anchorage People's Choice Award" will also be announced. First-place winners from each category and both People's Choice winners receive complimentary booth space at the International Boston Seafood Show March 15 to 17, 2009, as well as free airfare to and from the show.
The deadline for consideration in this year's competition is Jan. 9, 2009. Considered products must be market-ready (in commercial production) by the date of the competition. Visit symphonyofseafood.com for more information or contact Val Motley at (206) 352-3922 or [email protected].
