About Native Hut
Inspired by islands in the Pacific, including Polynesia, the Philippines and Taiwan, Native Hut is an approach to outdoor cooking that deepens our connection with culture and nature.
Through workshops, objects, and content, Native Hut creates experiences that transport us and provide a sense of belonging.
About Vanessa
Vanessa Shields is a San Diego native with parents from the Philippines and New Zealand. After studying abroad in Paris and graduating from UC Davis in 2004, she moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion and co-founded the women’s ready-to-wear collection Chadwick Bell in 2008. In 2014, Vanessa returned to San Diego to get back to her roots. Working in real estate led her to the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) in 2018. As Deputy Director, Vanessa created and developed content and event programming around Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander homeownership, history, and identity.
In 2022, Vanessa and her family relocated to Reston, Virginia, adjacent to Washington, DC. After years of exploring her passions, Vanessa founded Native Hut to share her beliefs on Austronesian identity, beauty, design, and cooking in nature.
Current Activities
Vanessa is in the process of writing a cookbook with designer and illustrator Steven Tachauer. To invest, support or inquire, email Vanessa at vshields@native-hut.com.
