Cannabis Chefs You Should Know

In today’s world of chef-driven restaurants and craft cocktails, every corner of the food and beverage landscape is truly stepping their game up — and the cannabis dining scene is no exception.

From James Beard award winners to legendary pioneers, serious cannachefs are taking the weed dining experience to a whole new level. Read on for our list of super-talented cannabis chefs that you need to know.

Chef Andrea Drummer

First and foremost, we have to give a well-deserved nod to Chef Andrea Drummer. While she has been in the news constantly over the last few years for her. part in opening the first ever stateside cannabis cafe, Original Cannabis Cafe, Chef Andrea Drummer has been changing the cannabis game long before it was cool to be a cannachef.

After graduating from renowned cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu, cooking with weed was not on Chef Andrea’s mind. In fact, she was not a fan of our favorite herb until introduced to a different side of weed from a successful attorney and cannabis advocate. Soon after, she began her business, Elevation VIP, that focuses on private parties and events that require an herbal twist. The food is elegant, contemporary, and always dosed responsibly.

With hard work and dedication her career as a cannabis chef blossomed. She’s written the iconic book, “Cannabis Cuisine: Bud Pairings of A Born Again Chef”, appeared on many TV shows, and advocated for cannabis across the globe. Chef Andrea has broken down doors, changed perceptions, and paved the way for so many of us to live out our weed-filled dreams. The rest, is as they history — or herstory rather.

Monica Lo

The founder of widely lauded cannabis blog, Sous Weed, Monica Lo had a major hand in bringing the “sous vide” to the cannabis forefront. While many chefs are no stranger to the sous vide, no one features this infusion technique quite as beautifully as Monica Lo.

Using a sous vide is a French cooking technique that essentially describes the process of vacuum-sealing food in a bag, then cooking it to a very precise temperature in a water bath. While this may sound a bit dull, Monica Lo has found a way to make it exciting — and changed the infusion game while she was at it. Using a sous vide to infuse your oils, butter, and whatever else you can think of, is the ultimate pro move.

As a creative director and photographer, Monica has brought her eye for excellence to her recipes and food styling. In other words, everything she touches becomes pure cannabis eye candy. Her work focuses on treating weed like a superfood and is consistently clean, drool-worthy, and unexpected.

Chris Sayegh

Coming to a TV near you, Chris Sayegh aka “The Herbal Chef"“ is on a hot streak.

With a background in molecular biology, it was only a matter of time before Chris Sayegh began to experiment with cooking and cannabis. His breadth of knowledge allows him to create one-of-a-kind dishes with expert-level precision. He started his career in private dinners and events with a focus on culture and education, but his charming personality allowed him to quickly expand into entertainment industry.

Currently, you can find Chris producing gourmet edibles, frozen CBD and THC-infused dinners, catered events, private dinners, and he is even a producer on the Netflix series Cooked with Cannabis. Stay tuned for more from this powerhouse chef.

Chef Santana Caress Benitez

The multi-talented and effervescent Chef Santana Caress Benitez makes you feel right at home with her Caribbean-inspired cuisine. With bold flavors and a bright personality, the former “Chopped” champion has never shied away from her love of the sticky icky.

While her recipes may not always be cannabis infused, Chef Santana’s “Dopest Dinner Party” series and 420 friendly Puerto Rican getaways provide a space that embraces cannabis and comforting food in an atmosphere that makes you feel like family. If you are lucky enough to snag a spot in any of her dinners, you’ll get a front row seat to food and drinks that are unique, vibrantly flavored, and an ode to her Afro-Latina roots. Chef Santana’s cuisine is made with heart and it feels as though she is inviting into her home with the open and loving arms of a mother — but with a joint in her hand.

Chef Santana Caress Benitez is a woman after our own heart and one you definitely want to keep an eye on. Keep up with all the latest on her instagram @chefsantanacaress and her Patreon, I’ll Cook Like Your Mother.

Chef Paul Booker

Former D-1 athlete turned all-star chef, Chef Paul Booker, the founder of Satan’s Breath CBD Hot Sauce, is taking the CBD world by storm.

Chef Paul’s venture into cannabis cuisine began after a college career in football that left his body with daily aches and pains. Cannabis and food became a source of relief for him and he made it his goal to share his knowledge with the world in a spicy little bottle.

Being a native New Yorker, Chef Paul is no stranger to hot sauce and a self-professed wing expert. Each bottle has the heat you crave and is expertly dosed with CBD for a flavor that is completely unique. With flavors like habanero pineapple and Jamaican mango, Chef Paul makes infusing CBD into your meals at home an absolute no-brainer.

Trust me, you’ll want to grab a bottle before they’re gone.

Vanessa Lavorato

If we had to name our ultimate girl crush, it is hands down, without a doubt Vanessa Lavorato. (Seriously Vanessa, call me.)

Vanessa Lavorato skyrocketed to cannabis infamy as co-host and chef on Viceland’s James Beard nominated cooking series, Bong Appetit. Bong Appetit exploded onto the scene in 2016 and brought high-end and explorative cannabis cooking into our living rooms. The guest chefs brought on to the show were world renowned, the infusions and techniques were mindblowing, the science was eye-opening — and Vanessa shone through with her laidback attitude and wealth of knowledge.

With a background as a chocolatier and food-stylist, Vanessa Lavorato knows her shit. She founded her much sought after edible brand, Marigold Sweets, in 2010 and has been featured in endless publications like Vogue, LA Times and PAPER Magazine. Alongside her co-host career and Edible Club, Vanessa is just getting started.

Chef Chris Yang

Sometimes called “Cheftofer”, Chris Yang is an LA born scientist turned chef. After starting a monthly intimate THC-infused supper club for his friends, he decided to create that same experience for the hungry masses called Pop Cultivate.

Grab a seat at one of Pop Cultivate’s coveted seats and you will be transported to another world of flavor, friend-making, mouthwatering food — and of course THC. Every table is dressed with care and each dish is dosed to your desired potency for an utterly unforgettable evening. Chef Chris’ goal with Pop Cultivate is create an environment of discovery: discover creative flavors, new experiences, and maybe even uncover something about yourself.

No matter what you find, you’ll be glad you stepped into Chef Chris Yang’s world.