Jesse McCleery

Originally from Winnipeg, Jesse McCleery began his culinary career at the age of 15 working in his home city’s best restaurants. Moving to British Columbia in 2000, Jesse has since worked in some of the province’s top restaurants and resorts. Having spent a combined five seasons in Clayoquot Sound and the Great Bear Rainforest, he has developed a deep respect for the coastal waters and forests. Continually searching and questioning ideas in food and our relationship with our environment, Jesse made the inspiring journey to Denmark in 2013 to spend the winter in the kitchen of Copenhagen’s acclaimed restaurant Noma. Returning west with new ideas and a reinforced vision, Jesse, set forth on opening pilgrimme on Galiano Island where his philosophies and ethics are given life working with the growers and artisans of the Southern Gulf Islands.