Storyteller | 

Jared Qwustenuxun Williams

​

Qwustenuxun is a passionate traditional foods chef who works for and learns from, the Cowichan Elders. Jared spent much of his youth with his late grandmother and became familiar with many cooking methods and techniques used by his ancestors. Nights spent dip netting salmon from the river and days spent preparing it for smoking. Jared graduated from culinary arts in 2001 and spent years working in restaurants across Vancouver Island. After gaining western culinary experience in niche restaurants like; Rebar Modern Food, Spinnakers Brew Pub, and Cherry Point bistro, Jared moved back to Cowichan and became the Elder's Kitchen Manager Cowichan Tribes.

Aside from working as the Elders Kitchen Manager Jared also works with many organizations as a traditional foods advisor, educator, and caterer. Most recently, Jared was the keynote speaker for the Camosun and Songhees food sovereignty and reconciliation event, a featured guest on the Moosemeat and Marmalade television show, and has been featured on CBC radio several times for his efforts in first nations food sovereignty.

​

When he is not working Jared spends his time with his family, harvesting, teaching, camping, and sailing on the Salish sea.