Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) has awarded a 10-year contract extension to HMSHost Corp. for its food and beverage concessions. In addition to the current lineup, there is a new Norton Sound Seafood House.
“HMSHost continues to deliver exceptional, well-designed dining options that enhance our food and beverage concessions program,” says Debbie Herrick, properties manager for ANC. “This agreement will bring new venues to give visitors to Alaska the local flavor they eagerly anticipate and enjoy.”
The Norton Sound Seafood House is a showcase of the fishery resources and the small-boat fishermen of remote Northwest Alaska communities. HMSHost has formed a partnership with the Norton Sound Economic Development Corp., a local, non-profit corporation, to develop the locally themed seafood restaurant for ANC. NSEDC’s goals are to support local fisheries and provide economic development through education, employment, training and financial assistance to its 15 member communities.
“NSEDC is very pleased to be a partner in this project for several reasons,” says Janis Ivanoff, NSEDC’s chief executive officer. “The prime location will certainly result in increased exposure to our region’s high-quality seafood; this will let consumers passing through the airport experience the fishery resources that our region has depended on for thousands of years, improve the markets for our local small-boat fishermen, and ultimately to bring the fishermen’s and consumers’ best interests together in this niche operation in Alaska’s busiest airport.”
The restaurant’s menu will feature locally caught seafood in recipes created by celebrity chef Al Levinsohn. Options include include Chef Al’s Alaskan Crab Po Boy, Original Ale battered Halibut Po Boy, Original Ale battered Halibut and King Crab Cake Dinner.
It is slated to open in August, post-security on Concourse C, and will also offer a full bar with wine, cocktails and locally brewed beer.
Another dining option slated to open this summer is Humy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse. The popular Anchorage pub offers a variety of local draft beers and its famous Alaskan Fish & Chips. It is scheduled to open in July.
“We believe this new agreement expresses the airport’s confidence that we are making the traveler’s day better at Anchorage International Airport,” says Stephen Douglas, vice president of business development for HMSHost. “We are also very pleased to support the local community in partnership with the Norton Sound Economic Development Corp. and are working with them to create a unique restaurant that truly gives ANC’s travelers a sense of place.”
