Billy Alexander

Chef & Social Advocate, Culinary Tourism Alliance

Toronto, Canada  

Canadian Indigenous born Billy Alexander is a world-renowned and globally trained chef, cultural pundit, and social advocate, his illustrious accomplishments and positions include: Founding Chair of Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations; Culinary Development Chef for WestJet; recipient of Canadian Culinary Excellence Award; Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40; Board of Directors for Culinary Tourism Alliance; Not 9to5; Founding Chair Ontario Indigenous Food Tourism Table; as well former National Culinary Strategist for Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada; and current mentor to countless youth.

Raised by his Mohawk mother, he grew up with food being synonymous with community and he learned to cook with ingredients that were foraged and hunted. He views the land as the “original grocery store” and created daily menus cooking for his family based on whatever edible treasures the land provided seasonally. He formed some of his fondest memories, gathered around food with family and community.

As an adolescent, he set out to travel the world for years, which included time throughout Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand. He learned about diverse foods, cultures, histories and social dynamics. In New Zealand, he was inspired by how integral their Indigenous culture was woven into the broader culture and community. When he returned to Canada, armed with finely honed culinary skills and an enlightened outlook, he had an epiphany to draw upon his roots. This evolved into his mature culinary repertoire where he masterfully combines his formal culinary training with a heartfelt homage to the recipes and techniques of his mother, grandmother and childhood community matriarchs. Every created dish invites you on an Indigenous culinary journey of history, culture and community inspired by the generations that have previously walked this earth.

Through food, social advocacy and lived example, Billy practices a look-forward philosophy. “History is already done and can’t be reversed – but we do have the power and responsibility to carve out a new history.” He encourages everyone to have difficult conversations, broaden one’s inner circles to include those who don’t mirror themselves, and above all, to eat well and together. Chef Alexander now shares these stories and teachings along with many others as a way to share his culture through food; while bridging the cultural gap of understanding, love, and appreciation for all living things as a steward of this land.