The Alaska Symphony of Seafood.

• Author: PILKINGTON, STEVE
• Position: Event helps raise industry awareness - Brief Article

Seafood from Alaska's waters means different things to many people. For commercial fishermen it is a sometimes elusive and bountiful livelihood. For Alaska's restaurants it also is a source of revenue and a tourist magnet. For diners it can be worked into culinary artistry and provide dishes promising enjoyment. For all in the seafood industry, the waters provide a much sought after resource with limitless possibilities.

This is where the Alaska Symphony of Seafood, formerly known as the Symphony of Salmon, comes into play each January. Created to sing the praises and inspire innovation in the seafood industry, the Symphony of Seafood is in its eighth year and lasts though the month-beginning with Seafood on the Town and ending with the New Products Contest. What was once a way to promote mainly the salmon industry has become something much larger.

"It has been expanded to all of Alaska's seafood products," said Marc Jones, executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, the organization behind the event and its list of sponsors. Wild salmon, white fish and shellfish are all open to the contest. "The main goal is to develop new products, new technologies and new markets for Alaska's seafood."

For Seafood on the Town, which lasts all month, chefs from some of Anchorage's fine restaurants create new recipes for Alaska seafood dishes to be served in their establishments. Every year a new Symphony beer is brewed. Among the restaurants taking part this year are the Glacier Brewhouse, Alyeska Resort, Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill, Southside Bistro and The Marx Brothers Cafe.

Dishes can range from salmon quenelles to Alaska oyster gumbo. How do the restaurants decide which specialties to offer? The chefs gather for a special card game. The chefs all start with wild salmon, then take turns in Go Fish! They each pick cards that feature various types of seafood on the back. Whatever cards they end up with reveal the other...