SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Go Fish, Go Wild
Beer-battered Wild Alaska Pollock fillets deliver premium flavor value and a sustainability success story
SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Go Fish, Go Wild
Beer-battered Wild Alaska Pollock fillets deliver premium flavor value and a sustainability success story
By Flavor & The Menu
April 5, 2024
By Flavor & The Menu
April 5, 2024
Food historians may debate the origins of fish and chips (Portugal? Really?!), but there’s no denying that the dish is an iconic food pairing on order with peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, macaroni and cheese and chicken and waffles. After all, while completely ubiquitous in the United Kingdom, its popularity runs deep in the U.S., as well, with patrons of casual, fast-casual and quick-serve concepts on both sides of the Atlantic regularly turning to this comfort food classic—and celebrating National Fish and Chip Day on the first Friday in June.
According to research from Datassential, in the U.S., half of all fish and chip menu mentions are found at casual restaurants, where consumers turn whenever the craving hits. “If you do not offer a quality fish and chips on your menu, you most certainly are missing out on that segment of market share,” says Chef Brett Smith, CEC, Corporate Executive Chef, King & Prince Seafood. But availability alone won’t carry the weight of consumer demand. The crucial element for fish and chips is, of course, the quality of the fish fillet. Guests expect a crispy, crunchy exterior enveloping a moist, tender and flaky fish that boasts a mild, clean flavor with a subtle sweetness.
While a high-quality battered fillet is at the heart of any successful fish and chip dish, today’s chefs can also leverage the product’s appeal by expanding its presence on menus, exploring opportunities across a wide variety of globally influenced, flavor-forward handhelds and bowls.
Photo Credit: Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers
A Fish Story
King & Prince Seafood, one of the largest suppliers in the U.S., specifies Wild Alaska Pollock for its new Mrs. Friday’s® Craft Beer Battered™ Pollock fillets, available in 2-3 oz. portions. Chef Smith describes Wild Alaska Pollock as a white, flaky fish with a mild flavor, similar to haddock and its “cousin” cod. “It can be marinated, battered, breaded, seasoned, stuffed and topped with a number of global flavor systems and ingredients,” he notes, adding that it is well-suited for frying, sautéing, broiling and baking. In Smith’s opinion, “Wild Alaska Pollock has long been overlooked as a quality seafood option. Whether used in a simple or complex dish, Wild Alaska Pollock is extremely versatile, affordable and delectable.”
King & Prince Seafood sources its Wild Alaska Pollock from U.S. fishermen that employ sustainable practices to catch the fish species in the cold waters off Alaska, and has partnered with the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) to build awareness about the benefits of the fish among both foodservice operators and their customers. Its Wild Alaska Pollock products are certified as sustainable by both the Responsible Fisheries Management Program (RFM) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The new product in the company’s Mrs. Friday’s® line of battered and breaded seafood is further elevated by using genuine Samuel Adams Boston Lager® in its signature batter coating. Commitment to such premium ingredients leads to a fish fillet that looks like it was fully prepped back of house. “You get a whole-muscle fish that’s flaky, not mushy, and never treated with chemicals,” says Michael Tigani, director of marketing for King & Prince Seafood. “The craft lager in the batter gives it a distinctive, but light flavor.” Indeed, the carbonation in beer creates an airy batter, and as the bubbles escape during the frying process, they lift the batter, resulting in a crispy coating. The product can go from freezer to fryer to plate in a matter of minutes and is considered a worthy alternative to more expensive whitefish species, such as cod and haddock.
This last point is particularly resonant today, as food prices continue to skyrocket. GAPP research finds that 40 to 50 percent of diners emphasize that affordability is a consideration for trying new fish dishes. Other consumer drivers include flavor (flaky and mild) and provenance attributes such as domestic and traceable. Wild Alaska Pollock is recognized as one of the 20 most nutritious foods on the planet, a heart-healthy whitefish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.
Five Fresh Ways to Reel ‘Em In
“Fish and chips has a strong consumer draw and is a dish that is easy to prepare. And with a quality, sustainable value-added seafood item, it can be menued at a great price point,” says Smith. But when sourcing a high-value item like the new Craft Beer Battered Wild Alaska Pollock Fillets, operators can lean on its versatility across the menu. According to GAPP research 47 percent of fish eaters need inspiration to try a particular recipe. Fortunately, delicious and desirable opportunities abound!
1
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Tuck your fish and chips inside a burrito for an edgy spin on the classic presentation. In this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Cali-Burrito, the fillet and fries join guacamole, a malted tartar slaw and shredded cheddar all wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
2
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Turn to your pantry staples to create a revelatory riff on the Reuben. For this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Reuben with Malt Sauerkraut Slaw, swap the corned beef in favor of the Wild Alaska Pollock fillet, but keep the rye bread, the Swiss, the sauerkraut and the Russian dressing.
3
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
This Tropical Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Bowl pairs the fillet with a symphony of tropical ingredients, creating a taste experience that’s both indulgent and invigorating. The dish features short-grain sticky rice, large-dice avocado and roasted sweet potato, along with a warm teriyaki pineapple salsa.
4
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Jump on the banh mi bandwagon, as the Vietnamese handheld continues to inspire in unique takes like this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Banh Mi. Two fillets are tucked into a French demi baguette, along with malt vinegar-pickled carrots, Daikon radish and red cabbage. A little Asian chile aioli and a cilantro garnish round out the flavor system.
5
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Embark on a taste adventure with this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Tostada with a Pineapple-Papaya Slaw and a zesty Chimichurri Crema. It’s the perfect flavor fusion of crispy crunch, tropical sweetness and tangy excitement.
Photo Credit: Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers
GET SCHOOLED
GAPP has produced a brand-new Wild Alaska Pollock Communications Toolkit to provide processors and operators with key messages and insights grounded in research that can be tailored to a wide variety of audiences. It includes findings from the group’s fifth annual consumer perception study and offers channel-specific data and marketing messages for both quick-serve and full-serve dining concepts. The organization’s website features many other resources including recipes, a glossary, a podcast, a blog and more. Visit www.alaskapollock.org to explore the different resources and click here for direct access to the Communications Toolkit.
“We appreciate or partnership with GAPP,” says Tigani. “And we take pride in helping to educate more people about all of the benefits of Wild Alaska Pollock.”
Are you ready to get hooked on King & Prince Seafood’s new Craft Beer-Battered Wild Alaska Pollock fillets? Click here to request a sample.
*Samuel Adams Boston Lager® is a registered trademark of The Boston Beer Company.
Food historians may debate the origins of fish and chips (Portugal? Really?!), but there’s no denying that the dish is an iconic food pairing on order with peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, macaroni and cheese and chicken and waffles. After all, while completely ubiquitous in the United Kingdom, its popularity runs deep in the U.S., as well, with patrons of casual, fast-casual and quick-serve concepts on both sides of the Atlantic regularly turning to this comfort food classic—and celebrating National Fish and Chip Day on the first Friday in June.
According to research from Datassential, in the U.S., half of all fish and chip menu mentions are found at casual restaurants, where consumers turn whenever the craving hits. “If you do not offer a quality fish and chips on your menu, you most certainly are missing out on that segment of market share,” says Chef Brett Smith, CEC, Corporate Executive Chef, King & Prince Seafood. But availability alone won’t carry the weight of consumer demand. The crucial element for fish and chips is, of course, the quality of the fish fillet. Guests expect a crispy, crunchy exterior enveloping a moist, tender and flaky fish that boasts a mild, clean flavor with a subtle sweetness.
While a high-quality battered fillet is at the heart of any successful fish and chip dish, today’s chefs can also leverage the product’s appeal by expanding its presence on menus, exploring opportunities across a wide variety of globally influenced, flavor-forward handhelds and bowls.
Photo Credit: Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers
A Fish Story
King & Prince Seafood, one of the largest suppliers in the U.S., specifies Wild Alaska Pollock for its new Mrs. Friday’s® Craft Beer Battered™ Pollock fillets, available in 2-3 oz. portions. Chef Smith describes Wild Alaska Pollock as a white, flaky fish with a mild flavor, similar to haddock and its “cousin” cod. “It can be marinated, battered, breaded, seasoned, stuffed and topped with a number of global flavor systems and ingredients,” he notes, adding that it is well-suited for frying, sautéing, broiling and baking. In Smith’s opinion, “Wild Alaska Pollock has long been overlooked as a quality seafood option. Whether used in a simple or complex dish, Wild Alaska Pollock is extremely versatile, affordable and delectable.”
King & Prince Seafood sources its Wild Alaska Pollock from U.S. fishermen that employ sustainable practices to catch the fish species in the cold waters off Alaska, and has partnered with the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) to build awareness about the benefits of the fish among both foodservice operators and their customers. Its Wild Alaska Pollock products are certified as sustainable by both the Responsible Fisheries Management Program (RFM) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The new product in the company’s Mrs. Friday’s® line of battered and breaded seafood is further elevated by using genuine Samuel Adams Boston Lager® in its signature batter coating. Commitment to such premium ingredients leads to a fish fillet that looks like it was fully prepped back of house. “You get a whole-muscle fish that’s flaky, not mushy, and never treated with chemicals,” says Michael Tigani, director of marketing for King & Prince Seafood. “The craft lager in the batter gives it a distinctive, but light flavor.” Indeed, the carbonation in beer creates an airy batter, and as the bubbles escape during the frying process, they lift the batter, resulting in a crispy coating. The product can go from freezer to fryer to plate in a matter of minutes and is considered a worthy alternative to more expensive whitefish species, such as cod and haddock.
This last point is particularly resonant today, as food prices continue to skyrocket. GAPP research finds that 40 to 50 percent of diners emphasize that affordability is a consideration for trying new fish dishes. Other consumer drivers include flavor (flaky and mild) and provenance attributes such as domestic and traceable. Wild Alaska Pollock is recognized as one of the 20 most nutritious foods on the planet, a heart-healthy whitefish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.
Five Fresh Ways to Reel ‘Em In
“Fish and chips has a strong consumer draw and is a dish that is easy to prepare. And with a quality, sustainable value-added seafood item, it can be menued at a great price point,” says Smith. But when sourcing a high-value item like the new Craft Beer Battered Wild Alaska Pollock Fillets, operators can lean on its versatility across the menu. According to GAPP research 47 percent of fish eaters need inspiration to try a particular recipe. Fortunately, delicious and desirable opportunities abound!
1
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Tuck your fish and chips inside a burrito for an edgy spin on the classic presentation. In this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Cali-Burrito, the fillet and fries join guacamole, a malted tartar slaw and shredded cheddar all wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
2
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Turn to your pantry staples to create a revelatory riff on the Reuben. For this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Reuben with Malt Sauerkraut Slaw, swap the corned beef in favor of the Wild Alaska Pollock fillet, but keep the rye bread, the Swiss, the sauerkraut and the Russian dressing.
3
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
This Tropical Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Bowl pairs the fillet with a symphony of tropical ingredients, creating a taste experience that’s both indulgent and invigorating. The dish features short-grain sticky rice, large-dice avocado and roasted sweet potato, along with a warm teriyaki pineapple salsa.
4
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Jump on the banh mi bandwagon, as the Vietnamese handheld continues to inspire in unique takes like this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Banh Mi. Two fillets are tucked into a French demi baguette, along with malt vinegar-pickled carrots, Daikon radish and red cabbage. A little Asian chile aioli and a cilantro garnish round out the flavor system.
5
Photo Credit: King & Prince Seafood®
Embark on a taste adventure with this Craft Beer Battered Alaska Pollock Tostada with a Pineapple-Papaya Slaw and a zesty Chimichurri Crema. It’s the perfect flavor fusion of crispy crunch, tropical sweetness and tangy excitement.
Photo Credit: Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers
GET SCHOOLED
GAPP has produced a brand-new Wild Alaska Pollock Communications Toolkit to provide processors and operators with key messages and insights grounded in research that can be tailored to a wide variety of audiences. It includes findings from the group’s fifth annual consumer perception study and offers channel-specific data and marketing messages for both quick-serve and full-serve dining concepts. The organization’s website features many other resources including recipes, a glossary, a podcast, a blog and more. Visit www.alaskapollock.org to explore the different resources and click here for direct access to the Communications Toolkit.
“We appreciate or partnership with GAPP,” says Tigani. “And we take pride in helping to educate more people about all of the benefits of Wild Alaska Pollock.”
Are you ready to get hooked on King & Prince Seafood’s new Craft Beer-Battered Wild Alaska Pollock fillets? Click here to request a sample.
*Samuel Adams Boston Lager® is a registered trademark of The Boston Beer Company.
