Chef Sarah Meconse Mierau
Chef Sarah Meconse Mierau, Founder of Tradish and the Ancestor Cafe
Sarah Meconse Mierau is a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation and of German Mennonite descent. She has a rich culture from both of her parents and is the daughter of a 60’s scoop survivor who was removed from her family before the age of 1 year old and placed in a foster home. Because of the colonization of Sarah's indigenous ancestors, she is just now learning and embracing her culture, healing and traditional diet.
Having lost her mom at the age of 12, Sarah felt that there was so much she didn't know about herself and her culture. Sarah's dad loved her mother’s culture and encouraged Sarah to learn about her indigenous culture. He was also a huge fan of Sarah's cooking which is how she nurtured him through his battle with cancer. After he passed, to honour his memory, Sarah enrolled in Culinary school, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts and Restaurant ownership from the Art Institute of Vancouver.
Sarah has worked as an assistant manager at a large catering company in Vancouver, as well at a health food market in the deli, creating vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes. She has always had a passion for healthy food. She makes dishes with traditional local organic items, ethically and locally sourced and celebrating her culture.
A passionate supporter of the power of connecting Indigenous people to their culture through food, Sarah is building her business with the goal of bringing Indigenous cuisine to the mainstream. She is the owner of Tradish - a company that makes plant medicine jams and has a food truck serving traditional dishes. Sarah also runs the Ancestor Cafe at the Fort Langley Historic Site.