Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Media Contact: Val Motley Alaska Symphony of Seafood 907-276-7315

val@symphonyofseafood.com    

Alaska Symphony of Seafood Celebrates 20th  Anniversary  With New Products Contest

Copper River Seafoods wins with their Zesty Grill Sockeye Salmon

ANCHORAGE (Feb. 25, 2013) — Alaska Symphony of Seafood celebrates 20 th  Anniversary and announces the winners of its annual New Products Contest judging event held in Seattle. The competition  enlists  chefs  and  industry  experts  to  pick  the  best  new  seafood  products  each year.  The  winners  were  announced  Saturday  at  the  Gala  Soiree  in  Anchorage,  where contestants,  industry  representatives,  media  and  attendees  gathered  to  celebrate  and  toast the winners.  

 This year’s first place winners included: Alaskan Sablefish Unagi Style by Triad Fisheries in the Foodservice  category,  Zesty  Grill  Sockeye  Salmon  by  Copper  River  Seafoods  in  the  Retail Category and AquaCuisine’s Lit’l Sammies in the Smoked category.  The grand prize, awarded to the product that received the most overall votes, also went to Zesty Grill Sockeye Salmon by Copper River Seafoods.  

“Thank you to Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and the annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood for affording Copper River Seafoods an opportunity to feature our new product line in a contest that has resulted in some of the best Alaska has to offer”, says Scott Blake, CEO/President of Copper River Seafoods, Inc. of their Grand Prize win.  “Alaska Wild Seafood has such an appeal in the marketplace and we’re proud to feature a frozen marinade line that offers yet one more opportunity to enjoy the good taste and health aspects of Alaska seafood.”

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

The Alaska Symphony of Seafood New Products Contest kicked off on February 13th 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:  Brian O’Connor from Skillet, Jason Wilson from Crush, cookbook author Tomi Marsh, restaurant consultant Jake Kosseff, Tony Catini from Serious Pie, Charles Benton from Sysco, Dezi Bonow from Palace Kitchen, Cynthia Nims from Mon Appetit and Molly Hancock from FareStart.   Sponsors  for  this  year’s  event  include:  the  Alaska  Fisheries  Development  Foundation,  Alaska Seafood  Marketing  Institute,  At-sea  Processors  Association,  Northwest  Fisheries  Association, Marel, Trident Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, Alaska Air Cargo, Alaska Longline Company, Marine  Stewardship  Council,  American  Seafoods,  City  of  Unalaska,  APICDA,  NSF  Seafood, Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank, Alaskan Brewing Co., Port of Seattle, Kwik’Pak Fisheries, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. Lynden, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Alaska Marine Nutrition, Global Seas, United States Seafood, Signature Seafoods, North  Pacific  Seafoods,  Young  deNormandie,  Pacific  Seafoods,  Coastal  Transportation,  Ken Simpson, Columbia Bank, Northern Air Cargo, Alaska Brands Group, Westmar Company, E & E Seafoods.     The Gala Soiree concluded with the announcement of the Anchorage People’s Choice winner, Zesty Grill Sockeye Salmon by Copper River Seafoods, based on the attendees’ votes.     For a complete list of this year’s winners go to: http://www.symphonyofseafood.com.

 About the Alaska Symphony of Seafood

Since 1993, the Alaska Symphony of Seafood has celebrated creative and innovative ideas in the seafood industry, bringing together a host of new products before a panel of judges and the public.  It was created by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation to promote new product development for seafood harvested in Alaskan waters by encouraging participation and sponsorship from a wide variety of companies and organizations that together, are building the future of the Alaska fishing industry.  For more information, visit www.symphonyofseafood.com.  

 About the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation

 The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is a private, non-profit organization chartered in 1978 for the purpose of developing fisheries infrastructure, research and problem solving for Alaska's commercial fishing industry.  It has benefitted the Alaska seafood industry with many projects including bringing Surimi to Alaskan shore plants and helping forge a partnership that resulted in the first Baby food with Wild Alaskan salmon.  For more information, visit www.afdf.org