Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Julie Decker, Executive Director Alaska Development Foundation 907-276-7315 [email protected]

Winners of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood Unveiled

Juneau, Alaska (Thursday February 25, 2020) — During an evening celebration of the best of Alaska Seafood co-hosted with United Fishermen of Alaska, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) announced the winners of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood during the Awards Ceremony on Monday, February 24th, where contestants, industry representatives, Alaska Legislators, media and public attendees gathered to celebrate and toast the winners.

The Symphony is an annual contest for new value-added products made from Alaska seafood. The goal of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood is to increase the value of Alaska’s seafood by encouraging product development which diversifies markets, utilizes more of the resources and reduces fish waste.

This year’s first, second and third place winners in each category included:

• FOODSERVICE: o 1st Place - Alaska Wild Wings – Southern Style, by High Liner Foods o 2ND Place – Alaskan Kombu Seaweed, by Blue Evolution o 3rd Place – Dumplings, by Tai Foong USA • RETAIL: o 1st Place - Bullwhip Hot Sauce, by Barnacle Foods o 2nd Place – Wild Alaska Cod Fish & Chips Meal Kit, by Alaskan Leader Seafoods o 3rd Place – Sea Asparagus Pesto, by Foraged & Found • BEYOND THE PLATE: o 1st Place - Alaskan Fish Skin Jewelry, by WILD by Nature o 2nd Place – Pescadots, by Drool Central: A Mum & Pup Barkery

The PEOPLE’S CHOICE, the product with the most votes from attendees at the two events, was awarded to: • SEATTLE PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Wild Alaska Cod Fish & Chips Meal Kit, by Alaskan Leaders Seafoods • JUNEAU PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Bullwhip Hot Sauce, by Barnacle Foods

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation P.O. Box 2223, Wrangell, AK 99929 - Ph: 907-276-7315 www.afdf.org/symphony-of-seafood/

The GRAND PRIZE, the product with the highest overall score, was awarded to Bullwhip Hot Sauce by Barnacle Foods.

The Bullwhip Hot Sauce, by Barnacle Foods, was a triple winner last night (Retail category, Juneau People’s Choice and Grand Prize). Upon receiving the Grand Prize, Barnacle Foods commented, “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 #1 ingredient in the hot sauce, which imparts a deep umami flavor. When kelp is paired with piri piri pepper, tomatoes, and fresh garlic, the delicious flavor makes you want to put this sauce on everything! The Alaska kelp industry is on an exciting trajectory and these awards showcase that we can make really delicious foods out of kelp. The Alaska Symphony of Seafood encourages all seafood processors to prioritize innovation in product development. At Barnacle Foods, we will continue to develop new products which showcase the flavors of Alaska kelp.”

Julie Decker, executive director of AFDF, commented on this year’s winners, “We had 20 entrants this year with several Alaska Seafood species being represented. We had four products entered made from seaweed, which demonstrates a new trend in growing seaweed in Alaska. We are very excited for all the winners which demonstrate remarkable quality and are poised to be successful in the marketplace.”

The first-place winners from each category and the Grand Prize winner will receive booth space at the distinguished Seafood Expo North America in March, entry into the national new product competition, Seafood Excellence Award, as well as airfare to and from the show provided by our sponsor, Alaska Air Cargo.

This year’s judges included: Jess Hathaway with National Fisherman, Craig Fleener with Alaska Ocean Cluster, Ashley Heimbigner with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Tomi Marsh with FV Savage, BT Thompson with Rogge, Amanda Herrera with Herban Feast, Jeff Taton with Herban Feast, David Levy with Central Market, Chef Zoi Antonitsas, and Cynthia Nims with Mon Appetit. AFDF thanks all of the sponsors that make this special event possible each year.

Our major sponsors this year include: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, Lineage Logistics, Trident Seafoods, Marine Stewardship Council, Northwest Fisheries Association, Alaska Air Cargo, and At-Sea Processors Association.

For more information about this annual event and a complete list of this year’s winners and sponsors, go to: www.afdf.org/symphoy-of-seafood/.

A complete list of all products entered in 2019-2020 is below:

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation P.O. Box 2223, Wrangell, AK 99929 - Ph: 907-276-7315 www.afdf.org/symphony-of-seafood/

Product Name Company Name Smoked Tinned Salmon Sisters Crab Rangoon Tai Foong USA Blueberry Cured 60 Degrees North Seafoods LLC Seabear's BSB - Brown Sugar SeaBear Smokehouse Bourbon Smoked Tinned Octopus Salmon Sisters Wild Alaska Cod Fish n Chips Meal Kit Alaskan Leader Seafoods Bullwhip Hot Sauce Barnacle Foods Sweet + Smoky Original Wild Alaskan Fishpeople Salmon Jerky Gerard & Dominique's - Wild Smoked SeaBear Smokehouse Salmon Schmear Sea Asparagus Pesto Foraged & Found Snow Crab with Garlic Butter Tai Foong USA Loaded Baked Potato Crusted Wild Trident Seafoods Alaska Pollock Fillets Alaskan Kombu Seaweed Blue Evolution Alaska Wild Wings - Southern Style High Liner Foods Dill Kelp Pickles Barnacle Foods Redi Grilled Fully Cooked Wild Alaska Trident Seafoods Pollock Pieces Salmon Dumplings Tai Foong USA Alaskan Fish Fin Earrings WILD by Nature Pescadots Drool Central: A Mum & Pup Barkery Alaskan Fish Skin Jewelry WILD by Nature

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation P.O. Box 2223, Wrangell, AK 99929 - Ph: 907-276-7315 www.afdf.org/symphony-of-seafood/