Culturally, cannabis and food have always been connected. Brownies and other baked goods are almost as synonymous with CBD as the traditional smoke. Many strains are named after food, and the smell and taste are compared to fruit, cheese, and candy. Where were Harold and Kumar trying to go? To White Castle for some sliders!
Despite that, the culinary world has been slower to embrace the possibilities of CBD in cooking. It might be due to misinformation about cannabis or a concern that a chef will be pigeonholed professionally as a cannabis chef. Some incredibly talented and creative individuals, however, are stepping up in the industry. These chefs and culinary innovators are making CBD cooking accessible to home cooks and finding new ways for cannabis to enhance food.
Chrissy Bellman
Chrissy Bellman developed the LEVO, a kitchen appliance for creating herbal infusions. CBD enthusiasts love it, particularly fans who are not highly skilled in the kitchen, because LEVO makes it easy to produce homemade CBD butter. She also has some fantastic CBD recipes on the LEVO website, including CBD Hot Chocolate with dark chocolate and maple syrup.
Michael Magallanes
Chef Michael Magallanes, known online as the Opulent Chef, encourages his patrons to put away the wine glass and enjoy a “cerebral experience” with his events. He uses hash and cannabis powder to complement his dishes and also give the optimal time for diners to feel the effects. The meals that he creates are anything but ordinary, with a level of plating and ingredients only seen in high-end restaurants.
“I make cannabis powder with coconut oil and sprinkle that on top of a rice cracker topped with carrot verjus, pickled Fresno chiles, cilantro and yogurt. I do a little milk sphere infused with cannabis, licorice and juniper berries. I do a French toast stick infused with cannabis, topped with sea urchin and pickled rhubarb. I do coffee-roasted carrots with savory chocolate ganache infused with hash coconut oil and dried chiles, like a play on mole.”
Bong Appetit and Chopped 420 are both cooking shows where the key ingredient is cannabis. Bong Appetit on Vice TV featured hosts B Real, Vanessa Lavorato, and Miguel Trinidad, and guests included Cheech & Chong, Wiz Khalifa, and Reggie Watts. The cuisine included a traditional Shabbat dinner, tacos, Texas barbeque, and more.
Chopped 420 premiered on April 20 on Discovery+, a streaming extension of Food Network. Like the original Chopped, four chefs must survive a three-course challenge with one chef eliminated after each course. The winner receives $10,000 and bragging rights as a master CBD chef. Comedian Ron Funches hosts the series, but he is joined by distinguished chefs in judging the dishes, such as Esther Choi, Luke Reyes, and Sam Talbot.
Readers, we want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite culinay cannabis edibles, and do you use CBD flower, oil, or hash in your home kitchen? Did these CBD chefs leave your mouth watering? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!
The History of CBD: Culinary Cannabis
Culturally, cannabis and food have always been connected. Brownies and other baked goods are almost as synonymous with CBD as the traditional smoke. Many strains are named after food, and the smell and taste are compared to fruit, cheese, and candy. Where were Harold and Kumar trying to go? To White Castle for some sliders!
Despite that, the culinary world has been slower to embrace the possibilities of CBD in cooking. It might be due to misinformation about cannabis or a concern that a chef will be pigeonholed professionally as a cannabis chef. Some incredibly talented and creative individuals, however, are stepping up in the industry. These chefs and culinary innovators are making CBD cooking accessible to home cooks and finding new ways for cannabis to enhance food.
Chrissy Bellman
Chrissy Bellman developed the LEVO, a kitchen appliance for creating herbal infusions. CBD enthusiasts love it, particularly fans who are not highly skilled in the kitchen, because LEVO makes it easy to produce homemade CBD butter. She also has some fantastic CBD recipes on the LEVO website, including CBD Hot Chocolate with dark chocolate and maple syrup.
Michael Magallanes
Chef Michael Magallanes, known online as the Opulent Chef, encourages his patrons to put away the wine glass and enjoy a “cerebral experience” with his events. He uses hash and cannabis powder to complement his dishes and also give the optimal time for diners to feel the effects. The meals that he creates are anything but ordinary, with a level of plating and ingredients only seen in high-end restaurants.
The Hosts of Bong Appetit and Chopped 420
Bong Appetit and Chopped 420 are both cooking shows where the key ingredient is cannabis. Bong Appetit on Vice TV featured hosts B Real, Vanessa Lavorato, and Miguel Trinidad, and guests included Cheech & Chong, Wiz Khalifa, and Reggie Watts. The cuisine included a traditional Shabbat dinner, tacos, Texas barbeque, and more.
Chopped 420 premiered on April 20 on Discovery+, a streaming extension of Food Network. Like the original Chopped, four chefs must survive a three-course challenge with one chef eliminated after each course. The winner receives $10,000 and bragging rights as a master CBD chef. Comedian Ron Funches hosts the series, but he is joined by distinguished chefs in judging the dishes, such as Esther Choi, Luke Reyes, and Sam Talbot.
Readers, we want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite culinay cannabis edibles, and do you use CBD flower, oil, or hash in your home kitchen? Did these CBD chefs leave your mouth watering? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!