Events
Pacific Authentic Experiences
Restaurants
The Dumpling Trail
Makers
Night Market
Steveston Village
Outdoor Activities
Book Your Stay
Connect with us
Hotels & Resorts
Bed and Breakfasts & Inns
Main Menu
When Mert Takis––sous chef at Richmond’s Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel––begins his Culinary Stage presentation on June 8’s Spot Prawn Day in Steveston, he’ll be paying homage to the West Coast’s hardworking fishing sector and its rich diversity of fresh-catch treats. But it’s the region’s seasonal spot prawns that will be the star attraction.
“B.C. spot prawns are special for their sweet taste, firm texture and sustainable harvesting,” says Takis, one of several local seafood professionals participating in Spot Prawn Day, a highlight of the Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration that’s currently running in Richmond until June 16. “For my presentation, I’ll be showcasing the versatility of our prawns by preparing a vibrant spot prawn ceviche,” he adds.
Not just for chefs
But you don’t have to be an expert to buy your own fresh-catch from Fisherman’s Wharf during the spot prawn season, according to Takis. “Don’t be intimidated about preparing B.C. seafood at home. It’s important to always start with the freshest ingredients and to keep it simple. Our local prawns are easy to cook and they taste delicious with minimal seasoning.”
Fellow Culinary Stage presenter Trish Whetstone agrees. She’s planning to make tinned salmon cakes and a summer-loving side salad for her June 8 cooking demonstration. “It’s an easy dish to prepare at an accessible price point––and it’s also a nod to Steveston as an historical hot spot for West Coast commercial fishing and salmon canning,” she says.
Cooking at Home
Whetstone––a fishmonger and self-described “seafood storyteller”––is on a mission to demystify B.C.’s incredible ocean larder and encourage locals to take the plunge in their own kitchens. Her @trishtalksfish Instagram account is brimming with taste-tripping inspiration.
“Our seafood is deceptively easy to cook––fast and hot with a little butter, salt and pepper does the job for pretty much any fish here,” she says, adding that good seafood stores will happily provide tips on what to purchase and how to prepare it. “I also use my platform to dispel fish fears and help empower folks to feel confident about giving seafood a permanent seat at their table,” she adds.
Spot prawns, she believes, are one of the best ingredients for first-timers keen to create delicious B.C. seafood dishes in their own kitchens. “Consumers are pretty comfortable with prawns and they make a great entry point for folks wanting to dip their toes into trying more local seafood at home,” says Whetstone.
Chefs celebrate
But 2024’s third annual Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration isn’t just about encouraging people to make their own meals. From June 1 to June 16, chefs across Richmond will also be showcasing their top-notch seafood skills by serving special prawn dishes at their restaurants. This hotly anticipated Dine About promotion features some of the city’s favourite eateries––including contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, Banh Mi Tres Bon.
Chef-owner Lan Do confirms that the restaurant will be preparing something special for this year’s Dine About. “It’s a scrumptious dish called Buttery Salt & Pepper Crispy Spot Prawns, and the prawns will be topped with crispy garlic and spring onions,” she says, adding that booking ahead is advisable to ensure you find a table before the fresh spot prawns run out for the year.
For Do, the spot prawn season is a great time to celebrate the entirety of the region’s ocean bounty. “Fresh spot prawns come around once a year so that alone makes them a very special treat. But B.C. is also known for its abundance of seafood like wild salmon, Dungeness crab, clams, lobster and geoduck. The Seafood Celebration is a wonderful opportunity for restaurants to create fresh new ideas and dishes for our patrons.”
As for Takis, the Celebration is also an opportunity to remember how our delicious ocean treats arrive on our plates in the first place. “This annual event supports our fishermen as well as promoting sustainable seafood practices––and that contributes to our community and the environment. The Seafood Celebration is a great way to rediscover B.C. seafood and also show our support for the local fishing industry at the same time,” he says.
Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Tourism Richmond