Indigenous Chef Sarah Mierau: Blending Tradition and Innovation at Tradish’s The Ancestor Café

Indigenous Chef Sarah Mierau is redefining culinary traditions through her innovative creations at Tradish’s The Ancestor Café. Sarah, a member of the Dene and Algonquin Nations, has created a range of unique culinary offerings, driven by her passion for sharing Indigenous food and culture. From jams and plant-based products to a bustling café and Indigenous food truck, every venture under Tradish and The Ancestor Café is rooted in Sarah’s mission. Sarah’s mission to provide culturally appropriate foods to Urban Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) communities is both vital and challenging, as she strives to support local economies and youth employment.

Transitioning from Culinary Chef to Community Leader

Before starting her entrepreneurial journey, Sarah was a culinary chef in the hospitality industry. Through this, unfortunately, she became burnt out and disillusioned by the conventional food landscape. After volunteering in food kitchens and witnessing the struggles of destitute individuals, she sought to make a meaningful impact without harming herself emotionally. She enrolled in courses at the NEC (Native Education College) and I-CEDAR programs, which equipped her with the skills and knowledge needed to launch her business successfully.

Tradish began in 2021 with a line of homemade jams and bannock, inspired by Sarah’s desire to create delicious, culturally significant products. This special line of products highlighted the healing properties of traditional Indigenous ingredients. Sarah’s passion for food goes beyond just cooking; it’s about creating a sense of community and belonging. The success of Tradish soon led to the launch of the Tradish food truck in 2023.

Opening the Ancestor Café

In February 2024, Sarah opened the Ancestor Café at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. This is located on the traditional territory of the Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Katzie First Nations. Ancestor café provides a welcoming space where guests can enjoy traditional dishes like bison and bannock and learn about the traditions behind each dish. The café has quickly become a community hub, celebrated for its delicious food and the cultural stories it shares.

Sarah’s Dedication to Empowering Indigenous Youth

All employees are young Indigenous individuals, providing them with valuable work experience and a supportive environment. “It’s about creating opportunities for our youth to thrive, just as much as it is about sharing our food and culture with the wider community,” Chef Sarah explains. Her commitment to empowering Indigenous youth is evident in her hiring practices and the mentorship she provides to her team.

Sarah’s impact is being recognized within the community. She was the recipient of the 2023 NOMZ Grant. Furthermore, she has been featured at prestigious events like UBC’s Joy of Feeding and the Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen. Her story exemplifies resilience and growth, inspiring others along the way. “I want to keep growing and inspire other Indigenous youth to see that they, too, can accomplish things like this and eat healthily.”

Owner of Spirit Bear Coffee Co, Sean, Chef Sarah, and Rob from Shop First Nations

Family and Cultural Heritage at the Core

Family support plays a crucial role in the success of Chef Sarah’s culinary endeavors. Her son Anthony is the lead cook at Ancestor Café, her cousin Tracy assists with making jams, and her husband helps with logistics. The name ‘Tradish’ is a tribute to Sarah’s late mother, who was known for always being a little late, often saying she’d arrive ‘around 10-ish.’ In the same way, Sarah strives to cook traditionally by honouring protocols. Modern techniques and regulations, however, mean it can’t be fully traditional. Hence, the name ‘Trad-ish‘. ”We honour our traditions in everything we do,” she explains, balancing heritage with the realities of modern cooking.

This philosophy is at the core of both Tradish and Ancestor Café, balancing respect for traditions with the need to adapt and evolve.

One heartwarming moment that exemplifies this impact occurred shortly after the café opened. A young non-Indigenous boy visited the Ancestor Café. Thrilled to meet Chef Sarah, he ordered one of everything on the menu. His mother later shared that it was his birthday, and he chose the café specifically to meet Chef Sarah. The boy even said “Mahsi Cho,” thank you in Sarah’s language, which deeply moved her. Moments like these remind the Indigenous Chef of the profound impact her work has, reaching far beyond just food.

Customers enjoying the warm atmosphere at Ancestor Cafe

Visit and Experience the Culinary Journey

For those looking to experience Chef Sarah’s diverse Indigenous culinary offerings, the Ancestor Café is open in Fort Langley and the Tradish Food Truck can be found at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland. Tradish’s jam and bannock mix are also available online, allowing people to enjoy these culturally rich offerings wherever they are.

Chef Sarah Mierau’s story is one of passion, resilience, and the power of food to bring people together. She hopes to inspire more Indigenous youth and families to pursue their dreams, embrace their culture, and create communities that support one another. It’s more than just food—it’s a movement, and Chef Sarah is leading the way. You’ve already inspired all of us, Chef!

Visit Tradish’s The Ancestor Cafe location at: 23433 Mavis Ave, Langley Twp, BC, V1M 2R5

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