Also read Laine's Fish Factor column
5/30/06
KODIAK FIRST SALMON CELEBRATIONKodiak's salmon season comes and goes with little fanfare. A small but passionate group hopes to change that by creating the kind of excitement Copper River has cornered for its famous fish for years. Islanders are launching a first salmon of the season celebration when the fishery opens on Thursday June 1st.
"Joel and I will get the fish either by float plane or delivery but it will absolutely be the first fish out of the nets."
Dave Kaplan is a film maker and project
director for the Star of Kodiak quality assurance program. He and chef Joel Chenet are spearheading the salmon celebration which will feature a five course feast at the new Eagle's Landing restaurant.Chef Chenet - Joel discusses the menu.. "The event will include much more than fine dining. Guests will be greeted by the Alutiiq Dancers and Elders will share the importance of the first fish of the season, among other things. Chenet says the salmon celebration will be the first of many firsts. He intends to promote the start of halibut, cod, rockfish and crab seasons. Dave Kaplan believes Kodiak will come on board and begin celebrating its fish.
"It's not a tough sell. All it takes is collaborating on projects like this and lining things up. Koidak is a sleeping giant with its fish. All it's going to take is more local events to get more people to recognize that we have the finest products in the world in our fisheries." The first annual Kodiak salmon celebration is set for Thursday evening at the new airport Comfort Inn. Proceeds will benefit the Alutiiq Dancers and Kodiak Salmon Camp.
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