NIHKHAH

Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life

Majority Indigenous & Women-Owned

Who We Are

Portrait of a woman wearing traditional earrings and a black chef's coat.

Chef Stephanie Baryluk

Chef Steph Baryluk, a proud Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) in Treaty 11 Territory, draws deep inspiration from her Arctic upbringing, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped her connection to food and cultural heritage. With over 10 years of experience as a Red Seal Indigenous Chef, Steph is passionate about preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions through education, culinary training, and community engagement. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024 and recipient of the WXN Food Industry Award, Chef Steph is a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems. She combines her culinary expertise with advocacy, inspiring future generations and promoting sustainability and cultural heritage from community kitchens to the global stage.

Sid Mehta

Sid Mehta is Co-Founder of Nihkhah and Founder and CEO of Greenworks Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to creating sustainable, low-carbon solutions by mobilizing partnerships in food systems, climate action, and cultural preservation. With over 21 years of experience in strategic communication, advocacy, and sustainability leadership, Sid has led transformative initiatives across institutional food systems, global policy forums, and Indigenous community partnerships. Recognized as an SDG 12.3 Global Champion, LinkedIn Top Sustainability Voice, and Adjunct Faculty at UBC, Sid brings institutional expertise from managing $400M in food service revenue at Compass Group Canada and leading the award-winning food program at Simon Fraser University serving 30,000+ meals daily.

Vision & Mission

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

We pursue this vision through four pathways — each using food as the medium to achieve food security, community wellness, cultural revitalization, economic sovereignty, and reconciliation.

GATHER communities through shared meals, seasonal practices, and culturally grounded wellness programming — creating spaces of belonging, healing, and food security.

LEARN by preserving and transferring Indigenous food knowledge — culinary skills, language, harvesting practices, recipes, and stories — and inspiring Indigenous youth and young adults to carry these traditions forward as chefs, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

GROW Indigenous food enterprises and economic sovereignty — from culinary careers and skilled trades to food tourism and global export markets.

CONNECT institutions, industry, and government to Indigenous food systems — so reconciliation becomes a lived practice in how food is sourced, prepared, and served.

Where We Work

Nihkhah has delivered programming across provinces, territories, and regions — in more than 20 Indigenous communities from the across the country. We have worked with universities and colleges, food service institutions, camp operations and remote food service providers, healthcare organizations, corporate partners, and national NGOs. We have represented Indigenous food systems on global platforms spanning the United Nations, the G7, and international trade forums across four continents.

Partner Testimonials

Chef Steph brought an incredible culinary vision to our conference in Yellowknife, NT, showcasing the importance of cultural heritage through her feast for the senses. Centered around traditional recipes from the North, she invited all our guests to learn something new about Indigenous food systems.

Steph also led an all-Indigenous team of kitchen helpers and chefs, demonstrating the significance of culinary training in preserving these traditions. It was clear that they had a lot of respect for her, and it’s an honour to watch her grow as she does something very unique with Nihkhah!

- Xina C

Entreprenorth

What an amazing experience! Cooking is always so fun, especially under the guidance of Chef Steph Baryluk. Her calm demeanor and passion for cooking truly shine through, making this culinary training not just educational but also a joy. It’s a wonderful way to connect with our cultural heritage and learn about Indigenous food systems.

- Melissa S

YKDFN Dettah, NT

I’ve had the privilege of working with Steph both within the GSA and on the international stage. She brings calm and heart to every culinary training challenge in the kitchen, always grounded in our Gwich’in values and committed to doing things in a good way. It’s clear how deeply she invests in building real connections and relationships, guided by a genuine and caring spirit. Through her work, Steph proudly shares and celebrates her Gwich’in roots and cultural heritage while highlighting Indigenous food systems as a powerful way of healing and strengthening sovereignty. Her work reflects care, responsibility, and a deep respect for community.

Collaborating with Nihkhah to host workshops for KPU students was an incredible experience for Student Health Promotion. Students were extremely engaged and expressed how much they valued Chef Steph’s storytelling approach, which beautifully intertwined her Indigenous cultural heritage and culinary training with her career journey. These workshops not only enriched our wellness programming but also highlighted the importance of Indigenous food systems. We are so excited for the continued partnership with Nihkhah!

Chef Steph is very comfortable teaching and excels in culinary training. She’s patient, talented, and shares her stories about cultural heritage as she guides us in preparing our meals inspired by Indigenous food systems. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to cook with Chef Steph; it’s an amazing experience.

Working with Chef Steph and the Nihkhah team for a program that was part of the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Project here in London, ON was an incredible experience! We enjoyed a highly energetic and hands-on couple of days where Chef Steph provided culinary training and taught participants about the preparation of traditional foods, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and Indigenous food systems. Each day was led with such care and passion. On the third day of the program, we prepared an incredible meal for the SOAHAC community. It is an event that our team reminisces upon fondly, and we look forward to future collaborations!

- Rebecca

Research Coordinator, Western University

Publications

Celebrating Indigenous Heritage in Cuisine: Chef Stephanie Baryluk’s Impactful Journey

Indigenous-SME Small Business Magazine interviews Chef Stephanie Baryluk, an Indigenous culinary artist whose passion for Indigenous culture and cuisine is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. Her commitment to promoting Indigenous food systems has earned her recognition with the Food Industry Award through the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) in partnership with Skip, highlighting the importance of culinary training in advancing these traditions.

Read the article

Pan Fried White Fish Fillets with Sweetgrass Beurre Blanc

Chef Steph Baryluk grew up in the Gwich’in community of Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) and reflects on how fortunate she was to observe her parents during the harvest and processing season along the Peel River. Her culinary training is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Gwich’in people, which inspires her appreciation for Indigenous food systems.

Read the article

Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine January/February 2025 IBC

Chef Stephanie Baryluk uses her culinary training to celebrate and keep her Indigenous cultural heritage alive through the revival of Indigenous food systems.

Read the Article

Elle Canada | Avocados from Mexico. Avocado Fried Bannock With Spruce-tip Whipped Butter

Chef Steph Baryluk is Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) Treaty 11 Territory located in the Northwest Territories. A proud Gwich'in Chef, she grew up hunting, fishing, and travelling the Arctic Tundra, deeply connected to her cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from her Gwich'in upbringing, she created ‘Rooted,’ an Indigenous Food Program with Simon Fraser University, which emphasizes Indigenous food systems. Chef Steph also hosts Indigenous receptions, dinners, cooking classes, speaking engagements, and culinary training sessions globally. Throughout her career in the culinary industry, she has found her greatest passion in showcasing her Indigenous roots one plate at a time. Additionally, she launched her own company, MRS B'S JERKY, which is a modern twist on traditional caribou dried meat ‘Nilii Gaii’ but made with beef.

Read the Article

NIHKHAH

Who We Are

Chef Stephanie Baryluk

Sid Mehta

Vision & Mission

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

OUR VISION: Bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.

Pillar1: Gather

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar1: Gather

Pillar 2: Learn

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar1: Gather

Pillar 3: Grow

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar 4: Connect

Pillar 4: Connect

Capacity & Opportunity

We belong in these spaces. From the Arctic to Rome, Indigenous food holds the power to heal, connect, and transform.

Where We Work

Recognition

Partner Testimonials

Publications

Celebrating Indigenous Heritage in Cuisine: Chef Stephanie Baryluk’s Impactful Journey

Pan Fried White Fish Fillets with Sweetgrass Beurre Blanc

Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine January/February 2025 IBC

Elle Canada | Avocados from Mexico. Avocado Fried Bannock With Spruce-tip Whipped Butter

Work With Us

Indigenous Communities

Institutions & Industry

Indigenous Communities

Funders & Government

Institutions & Industry

Indigenous Communities

Institutions & Industry

Institutions & Industry

Institutions & Industry

Trade & International

Institutions & Industry

Institutions & Industry

Contact

Send us a message

Mahsi Choo

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