International Food Blogger Conference

Getting to Know Alaska With Katie Workman

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We were lucky enough to catch up with IFBC19 Speaker Katie Workman of The Mom 100 to talk about her recent trip to Alaska and her thoughts on visiting again next month.

1. When did you visit Alaska? Where did you go?
I went to Alaska last June and fell in love. I was there with ASMI (Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute) with a bunch of chefs and food journalists learning about the seafood and fishing industry in Alaska and I was blown away by everything I saw, ate and learned. We spent most of our time at Tutka bay, took side trips to Homer, went on fishing expeditions, and cooked and hiked and talked with people in the fishing industry. It was magical.

2. What were your thoughts and feelings about Alaska?

Well, it was June, so it was dazzlingly beautiful and not too cold!  The people were mostly warm and open, though there was a not unexpected taciturn nature to some of the folks, which I think comes from some pretty rugged living.  There was a prevailing pride and investment in the fishing industry as a whole which made me realize the breadth and depth of how this industry is intertwined with all parts of Alaskan life.  It was very powerful.

3. What was your favorite dish while in Alaska?

Anything fish and seafood.  Everything salmon.  The salmon roe we saw cured before our eyes at Tutka Bay by Jeremy of ASMI.  The last night of our trip the chefs and some of the journalists all cooked favorite dishes with Alaska seafood and it was a full on banquet.

4. What was your favorite experience while in Alaska?

It was one of my favorite press trips ever for sure, and one of my favorite trips period. Catching fish on a boat, having drinks at a the Salty Dawg in Homer, lunch at the Saltry in Halibut Grove, learning all about the fishing industry. Staying at Tutka Bay. Amazing sunrises and sunsets.

5. What would you recommend for attendees to eat or do while at IFBC19?
 Anything anyone offers you! Especially if it swims or involves water! I have never been to Juneau so I’m excited to explore the food scene there. I’m excited for the helicopter trip and to get into the beer scene and learn from everyone there.

10 Reasons Alaska Seafood Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle

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This guest post is by IFBC19 sponsor Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

Whether you’re an avid pescatarian or you’re looking for delicious ways to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs, Alaska seafood has a lot to offer. Alaska seafood is a key source of marine omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which are essential for our bodies to promote heart health, suppress inflammatory responses, improve blood flow and participate in brain function. Alaska seafood is also naturally high in many essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins E, A, D and B12. Alaska seafood provides a complete, high-quality protein keeping muscles and bones strong and healthy.

What’s not to love? Here are 10 ways Alaska seafood can improve your wellbeing.

  1. Be Brainy

Alaska seafood contains vitamin B12, which protects brain cells and prevents memory loss. Omega-3s from seafood give your brain a mental edge. They are linked to sharper brain function, cognition and memory. You may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and possibly Parkinson’s disease.

Alaska King Crab contains 9.8 micrograms of vitamin B12 in each serving. What a tasty way to get a brain boost! We recommend this Alaska King Crab Avocado Toast by author and blogger Maya Wilson of Alaska From Scratch.

  1. Eyes like a Hawk

Keeping your eyes in good working order is a must and Alaska seafood is where it’s at. Many types of Alaska seafood are high in vitamins A and D, which help improve vision and prevent age-related macular degeneration.

Alaska sockeye salmon contains 50 mcg of vitamin A and 14 mcg of vitamin D. Stay eagle-eyed and try our Grilled Alaska Sockeye Salmon with Compound Butter recipe.

  1. Skin that Glows

Radiant, elastic skin is more attainable than you think! Fatty fish, such as salmon and herring, are high in omega-3s, which help keep your skin supple and moisturized. Alaska King salmon contains a whopping 1,476 mg of omega-3s in every serving!

Hop on the Instant Pot train by trying our Instant Pot Wild Alaska Salmon with Peanut Sauce recipe. Your skin will thank you!

  1. Be True to Your Heart

The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fish a week to maintain heart health. Consuming omega-3s can help prevent blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Alaska sablefish is chock full of omega-3s — 1,543 mg per serving! Keep your ticker ticking and try our mouthwatering recipe for Miso Glazed Alaska Sablefish with Asian Cucumber Salad.

  1. A Joint Effort

If you haven’t figured it out already, omega-3 fatty acids are like superheroes for your body. Add joint health to their list of benefits. Consuming omega-3s can help reduce joint tenderness and stiffness and also keep the effects of rheumatoid arthritis at bay.

Canned Alaska pink salmon contains 914-1,403 mg of omega-3s per serving. It’s also easy to find at most grocery stores. Spice it up and give your joints some love with our Cajun Style Alaska Salmon and Corn Cakes recipe.

  1. First Line of Defense

A strong immune system is what keeps your body safe from disease-causing microorganisms. Vitamin E is a great way to maintain a healthy immune system. Alaska rockfish contains 12% of the recommended daily value of vitamin E. So the next time you’re cheering for your team’s defensive line, snack on our Wild Alaska Rockfish Nachos.

  1. Alaska Seafood – It Does a Body Good

Active bodies need protein to support athletic performance and recovery. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests “incorporating seafood as the protein foods choice in meals twice per week in place of meat, poultry, or eggs.” Well, good news! Alaska seafood is a wonderful source of protein.

Alaska halibut contains 20 grams of protein in every serving. Our Pan Seared Alaska Halibut Steaks with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is healthy and packed with flavor!

  1. Trust Your Gut

A healthy gut is the key to a healthy body. Bring in our superstars, omega-3s! A recent study shows omega-3 fatty acids may improve the biodiversity of the gut. Fermented foods are also great for your gut, so try our Korean Miso-Cured Alaska Salmon with Fresh Cucumber Asian Pear Kimchi and get your microbiome moving!

  1. Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

If you are a seafood lover and happen to be pregnant, good news! Consuming omega-3s during pregnancy is not only good for the mother, but they could have beneficial effects on a child’s eye and hand coordination.

Both salmon and pollock contain low levels of mercury and are safe for women to eat 2-3 times a week during pregnancy. We recommend trying our Wild Alaska Pollock Coconut Curry with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce.

  1. Make No Bones About It

Protein, vitamin D and omega-3s are all found in Alaska seafood and keep your bones strong by absorbing key nutrients to maintain bone density. Alaska sockeye salmon is a triple threat – high in protein levels, vitamin D and omega-3s. Stay strong and make the most of your leftover sockeye with these delicious Alaska Salmon Cakes with Spicy Turmeric Garlic.

Why Did We Choose Juneau, Alaska for IFBC19?

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Answer: FOOD!

According to Buzzfeed.com, Juneau is the only US destination on its top 10 worldwide places to go in 2019 for foodies.

“Focusing on fresh, local seafood and wild fruits, the food scene here is understated, delicious, and eco-friendly by nature.”

How would one describe Alaskan cuisine? Well, it is hard to describe. The Washington Post says “It’s trickier to pinpoint than Louisiana food, what with its jazzy Cajun spices and general swagger. It’s more soothing than Texan cuisine, with all its devil-may-care charred edges. And it’s more modest yet just as fun as that of New England, with its lobster rolls and abundant oysters.”

We think of it as holistic, jazzy, flavorful, smoky, fresh, fun, local and wild. It is hard to pinpoint but easy to love. It is perfect for any food lover but especially for food bloggers.

Thrillist puts it among the “10 Small Cities With World Class Food Scenes” and says “Juneauites’ access to fresh seafood, foraged sea and forest vegetables, and wild game is unparalleled.” Vogue wrote an article titled “Why Southeast Alaska Might Be America’s Most Interesting Food Scene.” And Food & Wine wrote “Alaska has always been extraordinarily lucky, when it comes to eating. Lately, however, there’s been an explosion of culinary talent and creativity, much of it in the state’s more temperate Southeast.”

Yes, the food is the reason we picked Juneau and Alaska for the 2019 International Food Blogger Conference.

Wondering what restaurants you can try in Juneau? Here are just a few samples.

**Tracy’s King Crab Shack: Located directly on Juneau’s waterfront, this favorite local location measures just 8-by-10-feet but serves no small amount of customers. Steaming crab legs and friendly service is what keeps people coming back day after day. Great food for a great price. A must try!

**Salt: Opened last year, Salt is the new hotspot on Juneau’s waterfront. What makes them special? Chef Lionel Uddipa, who won the Great American Seafood Cookoff in 2017, forages for the ingredients himself.

Deckhand Dave’s: Fresh fish tacos, need I say more? Yes? How about a fresh fish taco paired with a beer from Devil’s Club Brewing. A truly outstanding taco truck serving the freshest fish possible, even named in the “top 50 best taco joints in the U.S.” by Business Insider.

**Coppa: The most unique ice cream place you might ever visit. What is on the menu? Daily flavors, including rhubarb sorbet, and salmon candy. In 2016, BuzzFeed named Coppa the most popular ice cream shop in Alaska. In 2017, Coppa won the Grand Prize in the Alaska Symphony of Seafood with their candied salmon ice cream.  (Photo from: Travel Juneau) 

Narrows: After a day out on the waterfront you will want to head over to Narrows. A craft cocktail bar with uniquely crafted ice balls from the Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound. This local hangout spot, equip with a fire place and brick walls provides as relaxing space to unwind from (and digest) all your delicious foodie adventures.

**Will be serving bites at IFBC19’s Taste of Juneau.

We hope you can join us this June in Juneau!

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