Trident Seafoods, Thunder Catch, and other seafood suppliers were among the winners of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation’s (AFDF) 2025 Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition.
The annual event, held this year on 23 October in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., recognizes excellence in seafood product development, specifically honoring innovative, value-added products that reflect the state of Alaska’s commitment to quality and sustainability, AFDF said in a release.
“It’s inspiring to see the creativity and innovation shown by this year’s winners,” AFDF CEO Kristy Clement said. “Each product carries the spirit of Alaska – one built on community, pride, and excellence.”
The first place winner within the Best New Retail Product category was Sandpoint, Idaho, U.S.A.-based Thunder’s Catch for its Wild Salmon Curry.
The firm’s Wild Salmon Curry is sold in portable pouches in nearly 300 stores across the U.S., Thunder’s Catch Co-Owner Kara Berlin told SeafoodSource.
“This ‘Best Retail’ win validates not just its quality, flavor, and convenience but the value of seafood with a story. Fully scaled, poised, and ready, we’re set to bring this recipe – and our passion as the Bristol Bay fishermen behind it – into grocery aisles, menus, and foodservice nationwide," Berlin said.
Wild Alaskan Company won second place in the category for its Sockeye Salmon with Teriyaki Glaze, while Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Eva’s Wild won third place for its Eva’s Wild Salmon Jerky.
Renton, Washington, U.S.A.-based E&E Foods won the Best New Foodservice Product award for its 49th Star Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Italian Meatballs.
“We have introduced several out-of-the-box items over the past years. Our 49th Star Italian Salmon Meatballs is one of those products which gives the consumer a healthy alternative to the traditional beef and pork meat balls without compromising flavor or texture,” E&E Senior Vice President of Value-Added Operations Bob O’Bryant said.
The Most Innovative award went to Seattle-based Trident Seafoods for its wellFURst Calming Support Freeze-Dried Health Supplement for Dogs, and Trident also won the People’s Choice award for its Crispy-Battered Sauceable Wild Alaska Pollock Nuggets.
“We are pleased that our newly launched wellFURst Calming Support Freeze-Dried Health Supplement for Dogs was recognized in the Most Innovative Product category, as it is the culmination of many months of work across almost every aspect of our business,” Trident USA President Jeff Welbourn told SeafoodSource.
As for its Crispy-Battered Sauceable Wild Alaska Pollock Nuggets, Welbourn said the offering is a “great product, and we look forward to seeing it on menus everywhere soon.”
Homer, Alaska, U.S.A.-based Kachemak Kelp secured the Beyond the Plate award for its Selkie Soak, which is a mineral bath product made from regeneratively farmed sugar kelp.
Judges for this year’s competition included Marisa Christenson, the director of dining and beverage operations for cruise company Holland America Line; Craig Glaser, a manager and fishmonger at Pike Place Market; Katie Goldberg, the co-founder of Tastemaker Comms; Jason Hedlund, the principal category merchant of procurement for seafood at Whole Foods Market; Charles Koh, the founder of EatSeattle; and Taichi Kitamura, the executive chef and owner of Sushi Kappo Tamura.
A portion of proceeds from the event, which attracted more than 300 attendees, benefit SeaShare, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger with nutritious seafood donations across the U.S.
