A wild sockeye salmon dish by Peter Pan Seafoods integrating Alaska kelp into the recipe captured the grand prize in the 2023 Alaska Symphony of Seafood.
The entry, which also took first place in retail competition, was a case of “beginner’s luck” according to Peter Pan’s Mike DeCaro, who credited sticking to a few natural ingredients as a key to success.
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has organized the event since 1994 to encourage development of new products using wild Alaska seafood. The event, co-hosted by United Fishermen of Alaska, is funded entirely by sponsors, including the Bristol Bay Seafood Development Association, and myriad seafood-related entities ranging from processors and freight firms to the city of Unalaska.
Barnacle Foods’ Kelp Chili Crisp placed second in retail competition, and third place was a tie between Kelptastic Farms’ CBD Kelp Brownies and Wild Salmon Chowder by Thunder’s Catch.
Ocean Beauty Grill House Burger by Ocean Beauty Seafoods captured first place in food service, followed by Wild Alaska Cod Burgers by Alaskan Leader Seafoods in second place and Takoyaki Style Wild Alaska Pollock Bites by Trident Seafoods in third place.
Trident placed first in the Beyond the Plate competition with Pure Catch Wild Alaska Omega-3 Triple Strength supplements, and also in second place with Alaska Naturals 100% Wild Caught Alaska Pollock Jerky Dog Treats.
Participants in symphony galas chose the Wild Salmon Chowder by Thunder’s Catch as the People’s Choice winner in Juneau and Kelp Chili Crisp by Barnacle Foods as the Seattle People’s Choice.
Winners of new competitions this year were Alaskan Leader Seafoods’ Wild Caught Crispy Beer Battered Cod for White Fish Choice; Peter Pan Seafood’s Wild Caught Alaska salmon with ribbon kelp chimichurri for Salmon Choice; and Thunder’s Catch wild salmon chowder for Bristol Bay Choice.
First place winners in each category and the grand prize winner get booth space at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston in March, round trip air fare to that competition and entry into the SENA new products contest.
Winners of the Alaska competition were announced on Feb. 23 in Juneau.
