The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation announced its full slate of winners for the 2022 Alaska Symphony of Seafood on Feb. 24, including three first-place prizes for Edmonds, Wash.-based Alaskan Leader Seafoods.
Alaskan Leader Seafoods’ Wild Caught Alaskan Black Cod in Japanese Miso Marinade won both the Seattle People’s Choice and the Juneau People’s Choice. Alaskan Leader’s Wild Caught Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon also took the inaugural Bristol Bay Choice award, as chosen by the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, a competition partner and major sponsor.
“Alaskan Leader did an excellent job highlighting the quality of Bristol Bay Sockeye, something our fleet has worked extremely hard to improve and maintain season after season,” Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association marketing director Lilani Dunn said. “The Alaska Symphony of Seafood is a long tradition in our industry, and the BBRSDA is excited to be a partner and to have our own category.”
The winners then took the whole show to Boston earlier this week for Seafood Expo North America’s Seafood Excellence Awards.
“For the first time, we are especially proud to say that three of the symphony’s first-place winners are in the top 10 finalists in the Seafood Excellence Awards, a national competition,” said Julie Decker, executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. “This demonstrates that the Alaska seafood industry is a national leader in product innovation and that the Alaska Symphony of Seafood is an excellent path to a national stage.”
All six of Alaskan Leader Seafoods’ new products were available at booth 1647 on the show floor at the expo at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from March 13-15.
“Today’s consumers more than ever are seeking convenient and healthy meal options. Delicious value-added products made with wild, sustainable Alaska seafood meet this demand,” said Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, an Alaska Symphony of Seafood sponsor. “We always look forward to the new products showcased at the Alaska Symphony of Seafood. From miso black cod to Alaska pollock jerky, ASMI is very excited to see the direction Alaska seafood products are headed.”
Other major sponsors of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood event included the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, At-Sea Processors Association, Marine Stewardship Council, Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, Marel, Kwik’Pak Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Association, Trident Seafoods, UniSea and United Fishermen of Alaska.
2022 Alaska Symphony of Seafood category winners
Grand Prize — Waterbody with Deep Blue Sea Bath Soak
Salmon — Ocean Beauty Seafoods with Echo Falls Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon, Tapas Sliced, Mediterranean.
Whitefish — Neptune Snacks with Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Jerky
Bristol Bay Choice — Alaskan Leader Seafoods with Wild Caught Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon
Retail — Ocean Beauty Seafoods with Echo Falls Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon, Tapas Sliced, Mediterranean
Foodservice — Seagrove Kelp Co. with Alaska Grown Ribbon Kelp
Beyond the Plate — Waterbody with Deep Blue Sea Bath Soak
Seattle People’s Choice — Alaskan Leader Seafoods with Wild Caught Alaskan Black Cod in Japanese Miso Marinade
Juneau People’s Choice — Alaskan Leader Seafoods with Wild Caught Alaskan Black Cod in Japanese Miso Marinade