Copper River Salmon Arrives From Alaska

Each year, the tiny coastal town of Cordova, Alaska, welcomes the opening of the spring fishing season. The local river, the Copper River, is world-renowned for its salmon, which have a noticeably brighter red hue than other fish, and are said to be the best-tasting salmon in the world.

Each May, when the first fish arrive in Seattle on an Alaska Airlines flight, there’s a ceremonial salmon cook-off, with three top chefs competing to be the champ of Alaska Air Cargo’s annual Copper Chef Cook-Off. The recipes, including the winning dish, are available for home cooks to try.

Our Memorial Day will likely be spent with our families, putting up Copper River sockeye salmon for our winter dinners. How will you spend yours? II #copperriversalmon #storiedfish #100daysofsalmon

A photo posted by Copper River Salmon (@copperriversalmon) on May 30, 2016 at 8:29am PDT

Alaska’s Copper River is a special place. The fishers are often multi-generational fishing families who take seriously the state’s commitment to sourcing fish and other seafood sustainably. When the season first opens on the river, the boats are out on the water early in the morning, fishing until the evening in a marathon endeavor.

When the boats return, the families are waiting at the docks to welcome them home. The mayor of Cordova is present and there’s an air of celebration for the season’s first catch. Then, the fish are distributed to Anchorage and Seattle, where it’s flown around the world for diners to enjoy.

Well, I guess you could say she liked it! Join Lauren and the rest of the 2016 Fresh Catch Crew for a season-long symphony of salmon! Repost from @griermountain Make way for the KING! ? A very special surprise arrived on my doorstep all the way from Cordova, Alaska this afternoon. Say hello to the one and only, Copper River King salmon. I have never seen a sexier piece of fish. Just look at that color! Now, what should I make with this piece of salmon that would please his royal highness? @copperriversalmon #copperriversalmon #sustainablesalmon #wildalaskansalmon #knowyourfisherman #storiedfish #spon #100daysofsalmon ???

A photo posted by Copper River Salmon (@copperriversalmon) on May 26, 2016 at 10:43pm PDT