Who Is Ginger & Salt?
Meet Zach
Zach Cross Nadeau is a Vancouver-based Canadian chef with a deep appreciation for authenticity in dining and a strong commitment to working with local farms, foragers, and wild ingredients. He began his culinary career in restaurants in 2016. Still, he found his true stride in 2021 through independent pop-ups that combined creativity, community, and flavour-forward dishes rooted in the Pacific Northwest.
His travels throughout the globe have left a lasting impact on his palate and perspective, inspiring a cooking style that values bold, layered flavours and cultural respect. Zach graduated from the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver in 2020 as well as completing pastry training at The Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in 2023, now incorporating his love of baking into the G&S repertoire.
Together with Asiah, he co-founded Ginger & Salt Dining Co. to build something both intimate and expansive. This evolving, queer-owned business reflects their values of inclusivity, creativity, and heartfelt hospitality.
“Our goal is to keep growing as a business, as well as be an ever-changing, inviting presence for our community.”
— Zach & Asiah
Meet Asiah
With eleven years of combined experience in food, beverage, event planning, and management, Asiah Pfaff brings both creative vision and grounded hospitality to Ginger & Salt Dining Co. Her deep love for food began in 2017, when she and Zach first travelled through Southeast Asia, sampling regional street food and developing a shared curiosity for global cuisines.
Asiah is often behind the cocktail menus at G&S events, infusing her love of mixology with seasonal ingredients and bold flavours. She is also a passionate forager, particularly drawn to wild mushrooms, and enjoys weaving the wildness of the forest into both food and drink.
Outside of cooking, Asiah is a spiritualist, an artist, a writer, and a beach-lover. She brings a holistic approach to hosting and believes in “searching for the little joys in each moment and prioritizing playfulness”— a philosophy that naturally carries into the warmth and ease she brings to every event.
“We hope to bring great-tasting food, long-lasting memories, and queer representation to the Vancouver chef scene— with a fresh perspective on dining experiences.”
— Zach & Asiah