High Liner, Barnacle Foods nab Alaska Symphony of Seafood wins

The winners of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood were announced on 24 February in Juneau at an event co-hosted by the United Fishermen of Alaska and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.

The Alaska Symphony of Seafood is a contest that takes place every year which judges new value-added products made from Alaskan seafood. The goal of the competition is to “increase the value of Alaska’s seafood by encouraging product development which diversifies markets, utilizes more of the resources, and reduces food waste,” according to an AFDF press release.

The Symphony awards prizes in three categories: Foodservice, Retail, and Beyond the Plate.

First place in the food service category was awarded to Alaska Wild Wings - Southern Style, a new product from High Liner Foods. First place in retail was awarded to Bullwhip Hot Sauce by Barnacle Foods. First place in beyond the plate was awarded to Alaskan Fish Skin Jewelry, by WILD by Nature.

The grand prize was awarded to Bullwhip Hot Sauce, which is comprised mainly of Alaskan bull kelp and is produced by Barnacle Foods.

“Our team is honored to be recognized for our Bullwhip Hot Sauce. We have been amazed by people's response since its release. Alaska bull kelp is the number-one ingredient in the hot sauce, which imparts a deep umami flavor,” Barnacle Foods said in a press release.  “The Alaska kelp industry is on an exciting trajectory and these awards showcase that we can make really delicious foods out of kelp. We will continue to develop new products which showcase the flavors of Alaska kelp.”

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Executive Director Julie Decker said the competition drew 20 separate entrants this year with several Alaska seafood species represented.

“We had four products entered made from seaweed, which demonstrates a new trend in growing seaweed in Alaska,” Decker said. “We are very excited for all the winners, which demonstrate remarkable quality and are poised to be successful in the marketplace.”

All first-place winners will receive a booth at the Seafood Expo North America in March and will be entered into the event’s Seafood Excellence Awards competition.