British Columbia (B.C.)

From an elegant tea in Victoria to an outdoor salmon barbecue in Nanaimo, the food of British Columbia is as original and varied as the province itself.

Wonderful food is easy to find in beautiful, bountiful British Columbia. Culinary blessings abound in waters jumping with seafood, orchards bursting with fruit and market gardens overflowing with vegetables. Geographically and gastronomically, B.C. is a region of many regions, with something for everyone.

On the lower mainland, Vancouver typifies the eclectic West Coast style in a cosmopolitan blending of international restaurants, fabulous fresh-food markets, chocolate shops, Chinatown, tearooms, wine bars and some of the most creative cooking in the country - always served with flair and often with a view of the mountains and sea.

North from Vancouver, the rugged coast is dotted with fishing ports. Commercial fishing is a multi-million dollar business on the West Coast, and the abundant harvest includes not only the world-famous Pacific salmon, but also enviable supplies of halibut, cod, sole, perch, snapper and shellfish. Off the coast, the romantically isolated Gulf Islands are known for their pastoral charm and lamb barbecues, which Vancouver Island offers everything from backpacking through wilderness forests to English tea in Victoria.

The B.C. interior is sliced by enormous mountain ranges into diverse culinary regions. From the rich farmlands of the Fraser Valley to the lush orchards and vineyards of the Okanagan and from the rugged beef ranches of the Cariboo-Thompson region to the grain fields of the Peace River Valley plains, the variety of local foods is impressive.

British Columbia is often referred to as a place that people "go to" rather than "come from." Generations of newcomers to Canada have added new seasonings to the culinary scene, and on many tables tasty dishes from the old country are daily fare. As well, there are strong influences from the province's neighbours - the exotic Pacific Rim countries and sunny California. Add to that the fresh and fanciful flavour of West Coast cuisine.