The JOSHUA QIYUK Memorial Funds
A Partnership with Algonquin College – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
(Composed with segments from the Algonquin College press release)
In March 2026, C’est Bon Ottawa partnered with Algonquin College to create two new funds in memory of Joshua Qiyuk, a well loved mentoree and former employee whose life tragically ended on October 22nd, 2025. These new funds, called the Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Scholarship and the Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Bursary, will support Indigenous learners in a variety of Culinary Arts programs at Algonquin College in Ottawa.
Josh was a young Inuk man from Baker Lake, Nunavut, who moved to Ottawa at a young age. At 17, he attended a cooking program at C’est Bon arranged by the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families. He was a dedicated student of the craft, always showing up early, always the last to leave. Chef Georges Laurier, C’est Bon co-owner, hired him to work at C’est Bon as a kitchen assistant at the end of the program and went on to mentor Josh for a couple years. Eventually, Georges encouraged Josh to enroll in the culinary arts program at Algonquin College as he showed much promise and interest in cooking.
Joshua completed the Indigenous Cook Pre-Apprenticeship program, and started a promising cooking career at Absinthe, under the tutelage of chef Patrick Garland. Tragically, in October 2025, Joshua was the victim of a violent attack, and his life was ended. His death is considered a homicide and is still unsolved to this day.
Devastated to learn about Qiyuk’s passing, C’est Bon’s owners Georges and Stefanie Siska, participated in a community effort to support his family led by Inuk chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, another of Qiyuk’s mentors. Trudy, a well-known Inuk chef in the region and former guest chef of C’est Bon, knew Josh via Inuuqatigiit and employed him for some of her catering gigs. The response by the community in support of Josh’s family was overwhelmingly positive.
In late 2025, Stefanie and Georges in consultation with Trudy and Patrick, contacted Algonquin College to explore ways to honour Josh’s legacy. They wanted to donate to the College and help Indigenous learners who, like Josh, dream of becoming chefs and leading successful careers in the culinary field. These conversations led to the creation of the scholarship and bursary in memory of Joshua.
“Josh left such a strong impression on everyone he came in contact with,” said Stefanie Siska, president and co-owner of C’est Bon. “He was as hardworking as he was kind and pleasant to work with. Mentors, colleagues, friends—we were all touched by how he approached his craft with consistent focus, gratitude, and a strong commitment to growth. He grounded his career in integrity and quiet determination. By establishing a scholarship and bursary in Josh’s memory, we hope the light of his life can keep inspiring and uplifting Indigenous people advancing their culinary careers.”
The Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based fund. It will be awarded annually to an Inuit, First Nations, or Métis full-time student in level 3 or higher enrolled in the Culinary Management or Baking and Pastry Arts Management programs, both of which are two-year Ontario college diploma programs.
The Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Bursary is a financial need-based fund. It is also an annual award meant for Inuit, First Nations, and Métis students. Eligible programs include the two diploma programs mentioned above as well as three programs of shorter duration: the Culinary Skills certificate, the Baking and Pastry Arts certificate, and the Culinary Skills – Cook II apprenticeship.
Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at Algonquin College, has expressed her gratitude to C’est Bon. “The connection between Algonquin College and Indigenous communities is the very essence of who we are as an institution,” she said. “When community partners support our Indigenous learners, the effects are felt here and in Indigenous communities near and far. I am moved that C’est Bon has chosen to transform profound loss into a positive force for Indigenous people. It’s a wonderful way to honour Josh’s memory and bring about transformative change. Mìgwech, thank you, C’est Bon.”
To donate to either or both memorial funds, please visit Algonquin College’s Advancement and Strategy page (link in button below).
Yes, chef!
