The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) proudly announced the winners of the 2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafood, an event highlighting the most innovative and delicious products featuring Alaska's finest seafood.
The turnout for this year’s Symphony was the best in years, with many companies submitting multiple products. Fishermen and seafood lovers judged the annual event with the highly anticipated People’s Choice Award, which attendees selected during the evening tasting reception. One of the competition's winners was Uncharted Alaska, a Ketchikan-based distillery with Holdfast Kelp Vodka, winning the Beyond the Plate and Most Innovative categories. The vodka is made from Alaskan sugar kelp harvested by a local company called Seagrove Kelp.
Seagrove’s CEO Markos Scheer told SeafoodSource in an exclusive interview that Uncharted Alaska was “extremely honored” to be nominated and win in the two categories. He said the collaboration involved significant trial and error.
The total list of this year’s winners is:
- Best New Retail Product: Teriyaki Salmon Jerky by Fable Fish Company
- Best New Foodservice Product: Miso Black Cod Deli Kits by Alaskan Leader Seafoods
- Beyond the Plate: Holdfast Kelp Vodka produced by Uncharted Distillery
- Most Innovative: Holdfast Kelp Vodka produced by Uncharted Distillery
The highly anticipated People’s Choice Award selected by attendees during the evening’s tasting reception was also revealed:
The judging panel included some of the Pacific Northwest's top culinary talent:
● Roy Breiman – Vice President of Food & Beverage, Columbia Hospitality
● Rachel Yang – Chef/Owner of Joule and Revel Restaurants
● Kati Lauffer – Culinary Director, Nordstrom
● David Tangkilisin – Chef at Chinook’s
● Jason Stoneburner – Chef/Owner of Stoneburner
These esteemed judges played a key role in recognizing this year's entries' remarkable innovation and culinary creativity. “We are thrilled to honor these outstanding products that showcase the quality and diversity of Alaska’s seafood,” said Kristy Clement, CEO of AFDF. “The Symphony of Seafood celebrates not only the exceptional products but also the people and companies driving Alaska’s seafood industry forward.”
Held at the King Street Ballroom in Seattle, the event featured a vibrant tasting reception, dinner, and awards ceremony hosted by Chris Egan of KING 5 Seattle. Guests had the unique opportunity to taste all product entries and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. The evening was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including ‘Highliner Sponsors’ Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, as well as ‘Captain Sponsor’ Marine Stewardship Council.
For more information about the Alaska Symphony of Seafood and the winning products, visit AFDF.org.
About Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation
Founded in 1978, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is dedicated to empowering sustainable growth and innovation within Alaska’s seafood industry through collaborative partnerships, research-driven initiatives, and community-focused programs.
