The joy of wild caught Alaskan seafood.

• Author: Von Wilier Linford, Susie

AhhhhLaska! There is a reason why so many of us moved here, and those born here have remained. Our seafood is the best in the world, and it is right outside our door.

The world knows about wild Alaskan seafood. Dr. Art Tilgner has successfully introduced many New York City restaurants to the amazing flavors of his Tilgner's Ruby Red Salmon products. Red Salmon caught in the pristine waters of Cook Inlet, off the Kenai Peninsula.

Ask any remote Alaskan lodge owner who their clients are during the busy Alaska summers. Most will say the majority of their clients are from Germany-and they are here to sport fish for those glorious king salmon.

For an even more adventurous life than catching King Salmon, try fishing for the all mighty Alaskan halibut. Alaska tends to grow them big. The largest halibut ever caught off Alaska had an estimated weight of 533 pounds. It was landed near St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea in 2003 by a Seattle-based longliner.

Alaska halibut is almost more precious than gold-golden crab that is. Currently, the price per pound for halibut is $39.00 vs $35.00 per pound for golden king crab from local suppliers, 10th & M Seafood, New Sagay, and Favco, located in Anchorage.

And do not forget about Alaska side stripe shrimp, oysters, and rock fish-all fresh and wild caught in Alaska waters.

What does one do with a fresh seafood catch? Very little. The less is more principle applies here.

Grill it or bake it with simple seasonings and butter; smoke it for special treats; make a chowder!

One of our client favorites is our Smoked Alaskan Seafood Chowder. Enjoy!

Smoked Alaskan Seafood Chowder Makes 16+ Quarts ~ 50 Servings * 2 lbs Raw Bacon * 1/2 cups Diced Yellow Onions * 2 TBS Minced Garlic * 4 Cups Diced Red Potatoes--Skin On * 1 Cup Vermouth or Dry White Wine or Dry Sherry or Vodka * 1/2 Gallon Heavy Cream * 1/2 Gallon Chicken Stock * 2 TBS Fresh Dill * 1 Cup Diced Celery * 1 Cup Diced Carrots * 1 Cup Sliced Mushrooms * 2 Cups Frozen Corn...