Over 80 guests joined us on June 25 for Salmon Meister – a brief look at the salmon industry with Trident Seafoods, complete with fresh salmon and local wines. The beautiful interior of the Assaggio Ristorante made this event particularly special. Past-Chair Hiroko Huntoon gave the welcoming remarks and introduced Mr. Kenji Nasu from Trident Seafoods as the guest speaker. Mr. Nasu’s illuminating presentation educated us on the history of salmon fishing, the relationship between Alaska and Japan, and more. His message was clear – out of all the seafoods, you should only eat salmon!

After the presentation, we all ate freshly grilled salmon provided by Trident Seafoods itself. It seemed to taste more delicious after learning so much about its background. Of course, the staff at the Assaggio prepared the salmon beautifully. (The generous servings of tiramisu almost stole the spotlight too.)

We were all entertained throughout the program by the Salmon Quiz – based on Mr. Nasu’s presentation with the tempting prize of a fresh fillet of Copper River Sockeye salmon – and a raffle to win a beautiful cherry wood salmon carving donated by Ms. Rosemary Brester from Hobart Machined Products. To everyone’s delight, the big fillets and even the 3-foot salmon carving were doled out to the winners at the end! Fortunately, everyone was able to take something home! Trident Seafoods and Itoen/Distant Lands Coffee provided each person with a gift bag. It was a jam-packed two hours.

Thank you!

This event was a great success thanks to many people! Mr. Takeo Sato from Nichirei USA first proposed the event and Ms. Karen Swanson was a great help. Ms. Satoko Valdes and Mr. Kazuhiro Hoshi were our generous sponsors. Mr. Nasu and others from Trident Seafoods provided many of the gift bag items and, of course, a great salmon presentation. Mauro, Lauren, and everyone at the Assaggio welcomed us all so warmly and ensured a smooth event. Ms. Cara Conner from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Ms. Diane Otis from Matthews Winery, Ms. Ali Rodgers from Dumas Station, and Mr. John Blair from Dunham Cellars provided delicious wholesale wines to pair with the salmon.

Photo credit: Tom Kohler and Sarah Okawa Ellerbrock.

Photo credit: Tom Kohler and Sarah Okawa Ellerbrock.