SeaBear’s Mike Mondello is Smokin’ [INTERVIEW]

Artisan seafood is what SeaBear Smokehouse in Anacortes, Washington is known for. The company was founded 60 years ago on a simple recipe and throughout the years has evolved via innovative marketing and product expansion. SeaBear still continues to deliver the delicious product they were founded on and their Pacific Northwest product is a favorite all the way to the east coast. 

Mike Mondello is the President and CEO of SeaBear Smokehouse and he was kind enough to extend Luxe Beat Magazine an interview. He tells us more about how the SeaBear smoked products are different than others on the market and how sustainability is at the core of their work. Following his interview, we have provided details on SeaBear’s 2022 Fresh & Wild events…which you won’t want to miss!

Tell us about how “smoking” differentiates your products from others on the market?

Our approach to smoking is quite different from others. We use a proprietary blend of 5 different woods  we have refined over the years. We find this delivers a smooth, balanced smoke that does not  overpower the fish — the fish remains the hero, and smoking simply enhances it in a subtle and  delicious way. 

What is your favorite seafood dish?  

No question my personal favorite is Cioppino. First time I tasted it was when I moved to the Pacific  Northwest, and I made my initial version over a pit fire on a beach on the Oregon coast while on  vacation with my family and our friends. Then, it became a tradition to make it at my home every  Christmas Eve, which we’ve been doing for well over 15 years now. I tend to make it using 7 different  types of seafood (in line with the Italian “Feast of the 7 Fishes”) typically salmon, halibut, sablefish,  clams, Alaskan Cod, prawns and King Crab claws. 

What wine or spirit do you recommend to pair with wild salmon?  

When serving wild salmon I always pair it with a Pinot Noir. This red-wine-with-seafood pairing is often surprising, but  a very Pacific Northwest thing to do. 

What is your most popular product?  

Our Signature product is – and has always been – our Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon fillet, done in the  centuries-old traditions of our region – moist, flaky and fully cooked, so very unlike other smoked  salmon around the world.

How important is sustainability at SeaBear?  

Very important – it is so critical that all of us in this arena take sustainability quite seriously, so that this  wonderful natural resource is around for generations to come. We source from responsible supply  sources, many of the items we offer are MSC certified (Marine Stewardship Council), and we are very  proud to partner with lots of other firms – who supply both food items and packaging – who share that  same passion. 

How do you ensure the product is fresh on delivery?  

Two different answers, depending on the product. A part of our line is packaged in our Gold Seal Pouch,  so the product inside requires no refrigeration until the pouch is opened (an invention by SeaBear’s  founder, for which he received a patent that the company enjoyed for many years). For the rest of our  line, we ship on ice using shipping containers we have tested again and again and again). And, of  course, we stand behind every shipment with our Fisherman’s Oath unconditional guarantee, so  customers always order with complete confidence.  

How do you define luxury?  

For me, luxury is a shared experience. I – along w/others important in my life – get to share something  special, and jointly experience the joy from that special experience. It is not an end in itself, but rather a  part of memorable celebrations of the relationships among us. We often talk about that here at  SeaBear – we strive to help people celebrate the relationships important in their lives. That is so much  more, from our eyes, than simply “selling fish”.

Thank you Mike for the interview! To learn more about SeaBear Smokehouse’s Fresh & Wild events, details are below. To learn more visit seabear.com.

SeaBear Smokehouse’s Fresh & Wild Events

For the past 22 years, SeaBear, the premier source for smoked salmon and delicious seafood from the Pacific Northwest, has hosted its Fresh & Wild events with remarkably fresh fish from some of the coolest places on earth. 

This year’s lineup includes superb local fisheries, each with its unique backstory. There are 20 events planned for 2022 (six announced to date) featuring fresh-caught fish hand-fileted and shipped on ice directly to customers nationwide.

Every event is unique in how the fish is caught. A new location at Baker River in Washington is scheduled for May, where local tribal fishing families in Upper Skagit Valley are on the river beaches or in their skiffs (boats) waiting for their turn to fish for king salmon. Consumers can purchase the catches and enjoy some of the best seafood in the world from this event. These wild salmon have a high-fat content, clean flavor, and beautiful coloring and are caught by one of the most sustainable fishing methods practiced today.

In June, their biggest event, the Copper River Sockeye (shown below) is perfect for Father’s Day gifting or placing an order and serving the fresh fish caught at a Father’s Day BBQ feast. 

The annual events are an ever-changing mix of offerings based on what’s best at the time, including sockeye salmon, halibut, and trout. Past Fresh & Wild events included salmon runs from the Aleutian Islands and Haida Gwaii. It’s become a tradition for SeaBear fans, ordering year after year to stock up on the freshest fishes caught in beautiful waters for a delicious meal to savor.

“I buy the Fresh and Wild King Salmon every time it’s available and have always been thrilled when it arrives. It is simply the best fresh fish available for grilling. Brush on extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with the included salt and pepper and grill it slowly. It turns out perfectly every time – simply OUTSTANDING!” – L. Gross

SeaBear provides sea salt and cracked pepper with every order, cooking instructions, storage guidelines, and tips to make this a memorable meal.

Strike up the family barbeque for dad and get to grilling for Father’s Day with all the scrumptious catches from the June Fresh & Wild event (gift cards are also available). 

SeaBear Ready to Eat Packs Price: $6.00+