The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) has announced winners of the 2025 Alaska Symphony of Seafood, held October 23 at the King Street Ballroom in Seattle. The annual event recognizes excellence in product development, honoring innovative, value-added seafood products that reflect commitment to quality and sustainability.
Wild Salmon Curry from Thunder’s Catch of Sandpoint, Idaho, took first place in the Best New Retail Product category. The ready-to-heat, pre-cooked meal is made with wild-caught Alaska sockeye salmon in a coconut-based yellow curry sauce with potatoes and carrots.
Second place honors went to Sockeye Salmon with Teriyaki Glaze from Wild Alaskan Company, while Eva’s Wild Salmon Jerky from Eva’s Wild received third place recognition.
The Best New Foodservice Product award was presented to the 49th Star Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Italian Meatballs entry from E&E Foods of Renton, Washington.
Most Innovative Product recognition went to Seattle, Washington-headquartered Trident Seafoods for its wellFURst Calming Support Freeze-Dried Health Supplement for Dogs, while in the Beyond the Plate category Kachemak Kelp of Homer, Alaska, won top honors for Kachemak Kelp Selkie Soak, a luxurious, kelp-infused bath soak product.
The People’s Choice award was presented to Trident Seafoods for Crispy Battered Sauceable Wild Alaska Pollock Nuggets (pictured below).
“It’s inspiring to see the creativity and innovation shown by this year’s winners. Each product carries the spirit of Alaska – one built on community, pride, and excellence.” said Kristy Clement, the AFDF’s chief executive officer.
The 2025 judging panel featured some of Seattle’s leading culinary and seafood experts, namely: Marisa Christenson, Holland America Line’s director of dining and beverage operations; Craig Glaser, manager and fish buyer at Pike Place Market; Katie Goldberg, co-founder of Tastemaker Comms; Jason Hedlund, Whole Foods Market’s principal category merchant of seafood procurement; Charles Koh, food writer and founder of EatSeattle; and Taichi Kitamura, executive chef/owner of Sushi Kappo Tamura.
Founded in 1978, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is dedicated to empowering sustainable growth and innovation within Alaska’s seafood industry through collaborative partnerships, research-driven initiatives and community-focused programs.
