"Symphony of Seafood" Names New Products Contest Champs

The Alaska Symphony of Seafood announced today the winners of its renowned New Products Contest. The annual competition, taking place in Chicago and Anchorage, enlists celebrity and industry judges to pick the cream of the crop in new seafood products to hit the market each year. First place winners included Orca Bay Seafoods’ Alaskan Sockeye Fillets from the Retail category; Trident Seafoods Corporation’s Portlock Recipe Redi Smoked Salmon from the Food Service category, and; JOMA Wild Seafoods’ Smoked Salmon Butter from the Smoked Products category. The overall grand prize, awarded to the product that received the most votes, went to Orca Bay’s Alaskan Sockeye Fillets. "Orca Bay Seafoods is absolutely thrilled to be selected the grand prize winner of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood this year," said Richard Mullins, senior marketing manager for the company. "The contest is a great opportunity to showcase new products in front of some really impressive industry judges, as well as to taste others’ new products and get a general sense of what’s out there. We’re proud of our winning product and look forward to the public’s response to it." (See winner’s recipe at end.)The winners from each category will receive booth space at the distinguished Boston Seafood Show in March, as well as free airfare to and from the event.The Alaska Symphony of Seafood New Products Contest kicked off on February 16 in Chicago. Evaluations were based on the product’s packaging and presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success.Eleven judges tasted, deliberated and selected their favorite products. This year’s judges included Michael Austin, freelance food writer for The Chicago Tribune, North Shore Magazine and GQ; Dan Coudreaut, executive chef for McDonald’s; Art Smith, personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, author and Art in the Kitchen TV personality; Dave Canny, seafood buyer for Whole Foods Market; Bill Springer, publisher of Seafood Business; Carol Kroskey, food writer for Easy Home Cooking; John Connelly, president of National Fisheries Institute; David Feder, managing editor of Food Processing, Wellness Foods and Food Creation publications; John Fiorillo, writer for The Wave Online; Bill Ranniger, executive chef for Duke’s Chowder House, and; John Steinmetz, senior seafood manager of SYSCO Corporation.The Chicago segment of the contest concluded on February 16 with the announcement of the Chicago’s "People’s Choice" winner, Morey’s Seafood’s Marinated Wild Alaskan Salmon, which is based on attendees’ votes. However, the judges’ results were kept secret until the February 26 Gala Soiree in Anchorage, where contestants, members of the industry and media gathered to celebrate and toast the winners, thanks to longtime sponsor Alaskan Brewing Co.Also announced at the Soiree was the Alaska "People’s Choice Winner," Ocean Beauty Seafoods’ Alaskan Cod Fillo Pastry, which won by a landslide.Orca Bay Seafoods’ No Nonsense Slow Cooked Sockeye Salmon RecipePreheat oven to 275°  F. Sprinkle salmon with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place salmon on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cook until fillets begin to firm and the centers of the salmon are just cooked through (10 to 12 minutes for individual fillets, about 20 minutes for an entire side). Place under a preheated broiler for about another minute. Serve warm with rice, oven-roasted potatoes and corn-on-the-cob or steamed vegetables. Note: Leaving skin of fish helps keep fish moist and intact while grilling. About Alaska Symphony of SeafoodSince 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 Alaska Fisheries Development FoundationThe Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is a private, non-profit organization chartered in 1978 for the purpose of developing systems, equipment and markets for Alaska's commercial seafood industry. For more information, visit www.afdf.org