Wild Alaska pollock nuggets and a health food supplement for dogs earned Trident Seafoods top honors in this year’s Alaska Symphony of Seafoods awards, which were announced on Monday in Seattle.
The annual event, launched in 1994 by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, showcases new commercial-ready Alaska seafood products that show innovation for diverse markets ad create value for the fishing industry. While initially focused on salmon, the event has expanded to include other species and serves as a platform for companies to develop and promote creative seafood items – ranging from smoked halibut and kelp hot sauce to pollock-based noodles.
Trident Seafoods is headquartered in Seattle but has various locations throughout Alaska, including one on Jim Poor Avenue in Cordova.
Participants in the Alaska Symphony of Seafoods gala at the King Street Ballroom in Seattle voted to honor Trident’s Crispy Battered Sauceable Wild Alaska Pollock Nuggets with the People’s Choice award.
Trident Seafoods also took first prize for the most innovative product, the wellFURst calming support freeze-dried health supplement for dogs.
The Sandpoint, Idaho firm Thunder’s Catch was awarded first prize in retail with its Wild Salmon Curry. Wild Alaskan Company in Homer placed second in retail competition with Sockeye Salmon with Teriyaki Glaze, and Eva’s Wild in Seattle came in third with Eva’s Wild Salmon Jerky.
E&E Seafoods of Renton, Washington, took top honors with its 49th Star Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Italian meatballs as the best new food service product.
Kachemak Kelp of Homer, Alaska, won the Beyond the Plate competition with Kachemak Kelp Selkie Soak – a kelp-infused bath product in a sachet of sustainably harvested sugar kelp, calendula and mineral salts.
Nearly 300 guests from the region’s seafood industry, culinary world and community leaders attended the gala, which featured a seafood tasting reception, dinner, and silent auction. A portion of proceeds will benefit SeaShare, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger via seafood donations nationwide.
