Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has issued a call for product for the 26th annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood with an Oct. 19 deadline for entry forms and fees due in four categories: retail, food service, beyond the plate and beyond the egg.
The overall goal of the competition for new value-added Alaska seafood products is to inspire innovative ways to fully utilize and increase the value of the state’s seafood.
Judging and open house events will be held in Seattle on Nov. 14 and in Juneau in mid-February. First place winners are to be announced at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, Nov. 18-20, while the overall grand prize, second and third place awards in each category, plus the Juneau People’s Choice winner will be announced at the Juneau reception.
The decision to hold several events was made to give seafood companies more opportunity to introduce new products at events attended by industry and culinary experts, seafood distributors and news media.
Since a significant portion of the value and health benefits in any fishery resource is found in the byproducts and roe, AFDF is particularly encouraging new product development in these categories, said Julie Decker, executive director of AFDF.
Each entry is considered in a private judging session, with evaluations based on the product’s packaging, presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success. Awards are presented for first, second and third place in each category, as well as the overall grand prize, Seattle People’s Choice and Juneau People’s Choice.
First place winners receive complimentary booth space at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston, March 17-19, 2019, plus free airfare provided by Alaska Air Cargo. The winners also will be entered into the new products competition at Seafood Expo North America called the Seafood Excellence Awards.
More detail on the competition and AFDF is online at www.afdf.org/symphony-of-seafood/
