Thunder’s Catch wins Alaska Symphony of Seafood honors

SANDPOINT — In Alaska’s seafood community, few honors carry as much weight as the best new retail product honors at the Symphony of Seafood. This year, fisherman-founded Thunder’s Catch won the honors for the company's wild salmon curry.

Thunder's Catch officials said the win underscores their dedication to innovation and reflects the brand’s mission to make wild, traceable seafood accessible and real.

“This win is deeply affirming for us, and for Bristol Bay. It reminds us why we do this work: To celebrate these incredible fish — honoring their place in the ecosystem while making their flavor and nutrition accessible to people everywhere. It’s about sharing something wild and remarkable in a way that’s thoughtful, exciting and innovative, and full of heart.” - Kara Berlin, Co-Founder and Fisherman

Hosted annually by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation in Seattle, the Symphony of Seafood highlights the most inventive, market-ready products made from Alaska’s wild bounty. Industry judges evaluate entries for flavor, presentation, packaging, innovation, nutrition, and market potential, and Thunder’s Catch’s Wild Salmon Curry stood out for its authenticity and convenience.

The curry is ready-to-heat, shelf-stable, and made from 100% wild-caught Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, simmered in coconut curry with bright vegetables and clean, whole ingredients. Free from gluten, dairy, and preservatives, it’s crafted for people who crave real food and adventure, from the backcountry to the family table.

This marks Thunder’s Catch’s second major win at the Alaska Symphony of Seafood, following the 2023 recognition for their wild salmon chowder, which also earned best new retail product honors at the Seafood Expo North America Seafood Excellence Awards. These back-to-back honors highlight the brand’s growing influence in sustainable, traceable, clean-label seafood innovation.

Founded by fishermen Taran White and Kara Berlin, Thunder’s Catch begins aboard their Bristol Bay vessel, the F/V Thunder, where every salmon is caught by hand and handled with care. What started at sea has grown into a company built on grit and care, guided by the same values that shape every season in Bristol Bay: respect for the fish, the water, and the people who gather around a good meal. From their home base in Sandpoint, Thunder’s Catch now brings wild, traceable salmon to tables and retailers across the country.