Behind the Lens: In Alaska’s Sitka, Surf and Turf Means King Crab and Salmon

The Alaskan town of Sitka welcomes the lens of photographers and filmmakers with a quaint harbour set against a backdrop of forested mountains, the colorful boats on display a nod to this town’s fishing heritage and the deliciously fresh seafood that can be enjoyed here.

This friendly, small settlement is deeply connected to nature, since people here live in this dramatic landscape alongside wildlife such as bald eagles, brown bears and an array of marine life.

Filmmaker Lucia Griggi traveled to Sitka while on an Alaska voyage on the Silver Muse and savoured her experience of this wide open wilderness. She was met by an inspiring culture and community of local people, eager to cook and share authentic surf and turf cuisine.

The peaceful landscape and tasty cuisine of Sitka

“Sitka is my favourite place in Alaska so it was a complete treat to come back,” says Lucia. “When approaching, you travel past almost a small archipelago of outer islands and it’s just stunning with really still water.”

Read more: Behind the Lens: In Alaska’s Sitka, Surf and Turf Means King Crab and Salmon

The moment for Lucia and her camera during her voyage was a particular excursion to a secluded rocky beach with a fireside feast. “On this particular excursion, we traveled on a Zodiac through the kelp forests as we tried to look out for otters. Then we arrived at a wooden jetty and walked to this beautiful lodge as we were greeted by locals who had all this freshly caught salmon.”

But this was just a treat that in that we had the opportunity to get into the culture of Alaska, how the locals eat, and how they catch the food. Being able to do that and then cook it ourselves was just really amazing.

–Lucia Griggi

Wholesome cooking ensued, with king crab cooked on a pot over the open fire alongside fresh salmon, while a joint of local beef was served up. Says Lucia, “I think my moment for shooting was as they were cooking the king crab and seeing how they were cooked in pots from being alive and meeting the chefs that were preparing the feast. That was quite different and interesting.

It’s definitely a behind the lens moment into daily life in Alaska

“We roasted the salmon on the barbecue and then afterwards, we ate marshmallows toasted on the fire to ease up before heading back. For me, that was really nice because normally in Sitka I’m running around trying to film a lot more of the outdoors. But this was just a treat that in that we had the opportunity to get into the culture of Alaska, how the locals eat, and how they catch the food. Being able to do that and then cook it ourselves was just really amazing. The people here are so welcoming, and so proud of what they do and where they live.”