Mary in Vancity

British Columbia is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, and that extends to the bounty of fresh, sustainable seafood pulled from its pristine waters. At the heart of this abundance is wild BC salmon—an icon of the West Coast and a staple on dinner tables, restaurant menus, and in the cultural traditions of Indigenous communities.

August is peak season for wild salmon, and to celebrate, the BC Salmon Marketing Council is teaming up with top chefs and local retailers across the province to bring this star ingredient to the forefront. From August 1 to 15, you’ll find exclusive dishes and unique tasting events that highlight the rich flavours and sustainability of wild BC salmon.

The BC Salmon Marketing Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the quality, value, and ecological importance of wild BC salmon. Working closely with commercial fishermen, processors, retailers, and chefs, the Council supports the long-term viability of the industry and encourages consumers to choose wild BC salmon when dining out or shopping.

Where to Eat: Wild Salmon Features at Top Restaurants

Some of BC’s best chefs are serving up limited-time features that show off the versatility of wild salmon. Whether you like it torched, cured, poached or glazed, these dishes are sure to impress:

• Wildlight Kitchen + Bar (Chef Warren Chow)
  Torched wild BC salmon aburi, offered at this Michelin-recommended West Side restaurant.
• Bar Bravo (Chef Jonah Joffe)
  Mi cuit of wild BC salmon—a delicately cured dish from one of Vancouver’s trendiest dining rooms.
• Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro (Chef Paul Fortin)
  Sage pesto poached salmon at Vancouver’s only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant.
• Nanoose Bay Cafe, Qualicum Beach Cafe, Greenview Taphouse, Deez Bar & Grill (Chef Todd Bright)
  Multiple feature dishes including kaffir lime cured, seared, honey-glazed, and wild BC salmon burgers.
• Water St. Cafe (Chef Alan Tse)
  Wild BC salmon with puttanesca, featuring a recipe by CDC Denny Beck, in the heart of Gastown.
• The Barley Merchant (Chef Hiran Perera)
  Maple syrup glazed wild BC salmon served up at this popular Langley taproom and eatery.

Events to Check Out: Demos, Tastings & More

This isn’t just a restaurant promotion—retailers across BC are getting involved with hands-on events that let you see, sample, and learn more about wild salmon.

• 1 Fish 2 Fish Seafood Market (Aug 2, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
  Executive Chef Hiran Perera from The Barley Merchant will demonstrate how to make his maple-glazed salmon dish.
• 7 Seas Fish Market, Kitsilano (Aug 6, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
  Learn to filet and cook wild BC salmon with a live in-store demonstration.
• The Fisherman’s Market, Burnaby (Aug 9, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
  A full wild salmon takeover featuring demos by Water St. Cafe’s Alan Tse and a historical exhibit by The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society.
• Codfather’s Seafood Market, Kelowna (Aug 9, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
  Take part in a blind tasting of the five wild salmon species and test your palate for a chance to win a premium fish box.
• Inlet Seafoods, Port Moody (Aug 9, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
  Sample house-made salmon pâté and fresh ikura at this local favourite.

Where to Buy: Retailers Featuring Wild BC Salmon

Prefer to cook at home? These retailers are spotlighting wild BC salmon throughout the season:

In Vancouver:

• eatFISH (online only)
• The Daily Catch (Commercial Drive)

On Vancouver Island:

• Finest At Sea (Victoria)
• French Creek Seafood (Parksville)

Why Wild BC Salmon Matters

BC’s wild salmon isn’t just delicious—it’s essential. These fish migrate through thousands of kilometres of clean coastal waters, feeding on natural nutrients that give them their firm texture and deep flavour. Their journey creates five distinct species—chinook, coho, keta, pink, and sockeye—each with its own flavour profile and culinary strengths.

Wild salmon also plays a critical role in local ecosystems, cycling nutrients between land and water, and supporting the food chain for other species like bears and eagles. It sustains both commercial and recreational fishing industries, and it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities across the province.

So whether you’re dining out, shopping local, or trying your hand in the kitchen, choosing wild BC salmon is more than a seasonal indulgence—it’s a way to support sustainability, local communities, and one of the most important species on the West Coast.

To learn more about the wild salmon season and participating locations, visit bcsalmon.ca or follow along on Instagram at @gowildbcsalmon.