The Ultimate Guide to Surimi Events Around the World in 2024

Surimi is a popular fish dish that has caught the attention of chefs all over the world. For people who like Surimi and want to learn more about it, surimi events are the best place to go. 

Surimi is becoming more popular among food lovers all over the world, so events are often held every year to encourage more people to try it. This article tells you everything you need to know about various surimi events happening in 2024, from the culinary expo to the surimi academy. Let us have a look!

Worldwide Surimi Events:

1. The Jae Park Surimi School

Date: September 25–27, 2024 (EUROPE) and December 3-5, 2024 (USA)

The Jae Park Surimi School was founded in 1993 to help people who want to lead the world of surimi and surimi seafood. This Surimi event is now consolidated into Surimi School USA, Surimi School Asia, and Surimi School Europe. 

Global surimi and surimi seafood business leaders, operators, marketers, and technologists can attend this surimi school. There will be three days of this surimi school where they will talk about things like the surimi market and production, updates on commodities, sustainable surimi resources, plant-based muscle foods, and more.  

In order to join this surimi school, you have to fill out a registration form and pay a registration fee, which you can find on the official page of the Jae Park Surimi School.

2. Suzuhiro Kamaboko Workshop

Date: Available every day

Location: Suzuhiro Kamamboko Village in Hakone/Odawara

The Suzuhiro Kamaboko workshop will give you the opportunity to try your skills and hands at making kamaboko, or surimi as the secret ingredient in your seafood treats. In contrast to other seafood events generally, this workshop offers you a magnificent experience where the "Kamaboko Masters" will instruct you on how to make delectable kamaboko (surimi seafood).

In order to join the Suzuhiro Kamaboko workshop, it is not a must to make a reservation. However, the classes often fill up quickly on the weekends, and it is a good idea to reserve a space through the official website of the Suzuhiro Kamaboko workshop or a call to the Kamaboko Museum.

If you want to join the class on weekends, a walk-in is very possible if there are open spaces. And don’t worry; this Surimi event will also provide you with the tools and instructions.

3. World Seafood Shanghai

Date: August 28–30, 2024

Location: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC)

World Seafood Shanghai may be the perfect idea for you to get to know seafood products better, especially surimi seafood. Though this event is not specifically a surimi expo, you can still explore surimi seafood at this event as one of the processed aquatic products presented.

The World Seafood Expo in Shanghai offers a lot of opportunity for the development of global aquatic trade. The surimi event reduces the supply-demand gap for seafood exporters and importers.

However, this exhibition is for industry professionals only, and all must do either online pre-registration or on-site registration. Students and children under 16 will not be allowed to enter the hall.

4. The Alaska Symphony of Seafood

Date: February 21, 2024

One of the most famous platforms to join a competition is the Alaska Symphony of Seafood. This event is not specifically a surimi competition, but still, this competition is worth trying, especially considering the production of surimi seafood.

Alaska-based seafood products that are ready for commercial sale can enter the Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition. You can try this competition since one of the main materials in surimi seafood is Alaska pollock.

More than that, the Alaska Symphony of Seafood will help you promote the new products of surimi made of Alaska pollock, as well as give you lessons and strategies to keep your competitive position in the national and global markets. 

If you are interested in learning more about this competition, you can visit the official website of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.

What Do You Get from Surimi Events?

1. Culinary Exploration

The experience of joining surimi events will give you the opportunity for a deep dive into the world of surimi and surimi seafood. Surimi events like surimi school could also enrich you with various techniques, recipes, and creative applications of surimi in seafood dishes.

2. Networking Opportunities

These events are not only giving you knowledge but also opening up mutual networking opportunities in the culinary world, especially surimi. Through surimi events like expos, schools, workshops, and competitions, you can meet professionals as well as enthusiasts from the surimi and surimi seafood industries. 

All these events provide you with a platform where many professionals share their insights as well as build relationships within the Surimi culinary industry. Meeting professionals in this field does not only give you new topical discussions or recipes but also keeps you up to date on surimi industry trends.

3. Hands-On Learning

Surimi school and workshops could be the perfect step for you to become skilled in the surimi and surimi seafood industries. By taking part in these surimi events, you will gain practical experience in the creation of surimi seafood or surimi-based dishes.

You can also test your capability in the surimi and surimi seafood industries by joining surimi competitions or seafood competitions. These competitions will give you much more insights and advice on how to improve your skills or even your own surimi product.

4. Product Discovery and Environmental Awareness

Through seafood expos that also provide processed aquatic products such as surimi seafood, you can get the opportunity to discover and taste new surimi products and creations. Events like expos not only function as a trade platform but may also showcase innovative surimi-based recipes or dishes that you can look up to.

Other than that, having the experience of the surimi events mentioned before could also teach you how to address sustainable practices in surimi production. Surimi events will enrich you with topics such as responsible sourcing and sustainable resources within the surimi seafood industry.

What to Prepare Before the Event?

Surimi events may seem exciting to you now, but it is better for you to take some time to prepare yourself before you join one or two of them.

First things first, it is not how much you need to pay for an event, but your own purpose. Spend some time to find what you really want to seek from a surimi event.

A rushed decision out of excitement might not turn out well. Therefore, by knowing what you really want to seek, you will place your choice in the right context.

Second, if some Surimi events have caught your attention and you really want to join them, do some deep research on them.

Some surimi events require you to do pre-registration and make some payment to save your place. Other events might just allow you to walk in and have your place at the events.

Therefore, deep research will make your life easier in exploring the surimi and surimi seafood industries. This will also help you know the date, location, and other requirements.

Last but not least, you can get your mini notebook just in case there are important takeaways that you want to review when you’re back home. And make sure you are not investing too much energy in other things before the events, because surely you don't want to miss anything by feeling unwell during the events, do you?

Conclusion

Surimi and surimi seafood enthusiasts have a vast number of events to explore the world of surimi throughout 2024. Starting from surimi school at the Jae Park Surimi School to hands-on experiences at Suzuhiro Kamamboko, global insights through World Seafood Shanghai and the Alaska Symphony of Seafood add a competitive edge.

These surimi events offer more than just culinary delights. Therefore, to get the most out of these events as a chance to explore the surimi and surimi seafood industries, prepare yourself and know what you want to seek.

Whether you are a chef, a surimi enthusiast, or a curious learner, these events in 2024 will give you a magnificent and tasty journey into the world of surimi and surimi seafood.