How To Become A Cannabis Chef

The ACF has launched a specialized certificate in cooking with cannabis

By Amelia Levin

rom popular-ups to chef-catered parties, cooking with, ahem, pot is smokin' right at present. Indeed, the National Restaurant Clan's annual "What's Hot" survey polling ACF chefs last year listed cannabis- and CBD-infused food and drink as the No. i and No. 2 top trends. The topic is getting so much traction every bit of late that this volition exist a fundamental topic covered at both ChefConnect: Seattle and ChefConnect: Nashville. The ACF team besides plans to host a symposium on cooking with cannabis and CBD in late May.

"A couple years ago, nosotros knew in that location was a need to learn more than about the cannabis space, so we began to educate ourselves on the discipline," says Michelle Whitfield, CFC, senior manager of culinary programs for ACF.

Since then, the ACF has partnered with a panel of chefs working in the cannabis infinite to help develop the curriculum and exam for what is now a new certification available to ACF members and not-members alike. To earn the Specialized Document in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles, students must study four resource books and and then accept and laissez passer a 100-question, online exam.

"We sympathise that this is a controversial topic and there are stigmas, simply we are budgeted this from an educational perspective with a focus on safety as more chefs and culinarians enter this growing space," says Jacqui Pressinger, ACF director of strategic partnerships. "Since cannabis is not federally legal, more than states are legalizing its recreational use, so we desire to be the gilt standard when it comes to culinary professional development in this space, as nosotros recognize that there are more than savory chefs developing multi-course menus that include cannabis and THC also equally others getting into the edible business, especially with baked goods."

The document does non include cannabis culinary preparation; rather, information technology focuses on educating chefs nearly proper handling and dosing of THC-laced ingredients besides as non-THC ingredients, such as hemp and CBD. The certificate likewise covers terpenes, which is the flavor component of cannabis, and the program is heavy on math, which is required for dosing as well as for extraction and other formulations involved in cooking with cannabis.

John C. Schopp CEC, CEPC, CCE, CCA, AAC, culinary instructor at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia was the first pupil to take the exam and pass (there are now three total certified). "I am proud and excited that the ACF has recognized the importance of providing education and a pathway to certify culinarians of all levels in the rubber handling and upstanding responsibility related to culinary cannabis and infused edibles," says Schopp, who besides serves as Chair of the ACF Certification Commission. "[The content] is challenging and comprehensive and I look forward to continued educational opportunities and advanced preparation effectually this topic. The ACF continues to evangelize relevant and various educational activity through multiple platforms, at a very high level. Certification through the ACF continues to provide employers a confident benchmark for differentiating potential new hires."

To acquire more than and sign upwards for the course, visit the ACF Online Learning Center. Stay tuned for more ACF education and events centered on cannabis cooking.

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