Winners of the 2014 Alaska Symphony of Seafood – Tilgner’s Ruby Red Smoked Sockeye

AFDF announced the winners of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood – an annual contest for new products made from Alaska seafood. The competition enlists chefs and industry experts to pick the best new seafood products each year. The winners were announced at the Gala Soiree in Anchorage on February 13, 2014, where contestants, industry representatives, media and attendees gathered to celebrate and toast the winners.

This year’s first place winners included: Ocean Beauty’s Salmon Jerky – Black Pepper in the Retail category, Trident’s Redi Grilled Pollock in the Foodservice category and Tilgner’s Ruby Red Ole World Scottish Style Cold Smoked Sockeye in Smoked category. The grand prize, awarded to the product that received the most overall votes, also went to Tilgner’s Ruby Red Ole World Scottish Style Cold Smoked Sockeye.

The first place winners from each category, and the grand prize winner, received booth space at the distinguished International Boston Seafood Show, March 15-17, as well as airfare to and from the show.

The Alaska Symphony of Seafood kicked off on February 5th in Seattle, where the judges tasted, deliberated and selected their favorite products. Evaluations were based on the products’ packaging and presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success.

This year’s judges included: Drew Cherry from IntraFish, Karl Uri from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Kären Jorgensen from Seattle Culinary Academy, Varin Keokitvon from Farestart, Mona Stone from Alaska Weathervane Seafoods, Cynthia Nims from Mon Appetit, food writer Melissa Trainer and Shelly Lance from Tom Douglas Restaurants.

The main sponsors for this year’s event included: the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, At-sea Processors Association, Northwest Fisheries Association, Marel, Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Trident Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, Alaska Air Cargo, Marine Stewardship Council, City of Unalaska, Alaskan Brewing Company, Kwik’Pak Fisheries, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation and Bowhead Transport Company.

“The sponsors and the companies that entered products all deserve special recognition. They understand that a rising tide floats all boats. In other words, when one company develops a product that increases the value of our resources, the entire industry, plus our communities, benefit from that.”

Julie Decker, executive director of AFDF.