Site Title

Today is the
official start of the Alaskan Copper River Salmon season. To wit, Wild Salmon
chef Charles Ramseyer was on a river boat yesterday catching the
catch-of-the-day. He flies back today with fish in hand, hoping to be the first
to serve it up tonight in Gotham and make it
an annual event. Press release after the jump.

ALASKAN COPPER RIVER SALMON,
SERVED FIRST IN NY AT WILD SALMON

Popular
Midtown Restaurant Gives New Meaning To Flying In Fresh Ingredients

NEW YORK, May 2007 – This
year, during the Copper River Salmon season, New Yorkers will experience the
freshest available product, direct from the source, at WILD SALMON, a Pacific
Northwest Brasserie (622 Third Avenue @ 40th street, 212.404.1700).

On May 14, in honor of the
first ‘wild salmon’ run of the season, Executive Chef Charles Ramseyer (formerly of Ray’s Boathouse in Seattle) and China Grill Management’s
Corporate Chef Luke Rinaman will have
the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of traveling to Cordova, Alaska, where
fishermen are allowing them on-board to catch the coveted species alongside
them. They will personally bring the first catch back to New York, which will
be available at WILD SALMON on May 16,
so diners will get a taste of the freshest salmon before anyone else on the
East Coast. This is entirely possible due to the relationship
that Chef Ramseyer has cultivated with these men over the past two decades,
illustrating Chef Ramseyer’s reputation as an ambassador of the Pacific
Northwest and as an expert on the region’s cuisine.

Each year, mid-May signifies the
official season for Alaskan Copper River Salmon. During this time, the restaurants of the Pacific
Northwest celebrate the arrival of the salmon with festivals and parades
that honor the long-standing tradition of this unique fish. Wild Salmon is carrying on this tradition on the East Coast by bringing this celebrated salmon to its diners first, before any other restaurant in the area.

Copper River Salmon are amongst the most sustainable and fertile fish
with countless health attributes. While the proof is in the flavor, wild
salmon also has the added benefit of boasting a greater nutritional value:
unlike farmed fish, they are fed no artificial dyes and are 100% hormone and
antibiotic-free. In addition, as the salmon make the long journey up the long
Copper River to spawn, they store extra fat and oils in order to
survive–boosting their Omega-3 content–which provides many health benefits,
including prevention of heart disease and reduction of high blood pressure. This high fat and oil content is why Copper River Salmon
are recognized as some of the world’s best.

This exclusive dining experience will begin on May 16 and run for a limited time while the Copper River Salmon are in season.