UPDATE: The name of this business was changed to Cannabis High.
Cannabis-infused food can be infinitely more than brownies and “grassy cannabutter” – it can be gourmet meals that satisfy far more than a desire to get stoned. That’s where Ian McClatchey enters the picture.
The Scottish-born chef is the mastermind behind Cannabis High, a new cannabis cuisine tutoring and private meal preparation service in Guelph.
“The cannabis meal doesn’t have to be brownies. It doesn’t have to be something that knocks you out either. It’s something that you can eat three courses, take some time, enjoy it, enjoy the atmosphere with your friends,” he said. “There’s a lot more to an elevated dining experience.”
McClatchey grew up in Scotland, where he attended culinary school. Since graduating, he’s travelled to numerous countries, including Australia, Germany, Sweden and Malaysia seeking out the “weirdest, wildest and most wonderful experiences,” working in a variety of different styles of restaurants along the way.
He found his way to Canada in 2018 and settled in Guelph, where his partner is attending university.
When recreational marijuana was legalized in late 2018, he saw an opportunity to combine his expertise in the kitchen with his appreciation for cannabis and began working on the idea for Cannabis High, which officially launched on April 1.
“With COVID and stuff, it makes it very hard to operate … at the moment,” he said, noting customers have been few and far between. “I think once everyone feels a bit more comfortable with hiring a stranger to come into their house and cook for them, I think it will take off.”
Cannabis High offers beginner and intermediate tutoring – online only for now – as well as in-home customized meal preparation when regulations allow.
In addition to his chef training, McClatchey said he took it upon himself to learn about cooking with cannabis through a combination of research and experimentation.
“It’s another ingredient added into the repertoire of ingredients you can use to create a great meal – just like another herb,” he said. “Each plant has its own unique characteristics that can be used to change a dish, or not to.
“Some people don’t even like the taste of cannabis and that can be removed through processes as well.”
Whether you sign up for tutoring or private meal preparation, this is a BYOC operation – Bring Your Own Cannabis.
“I’m not supplying anything. I’m just providing a service,” McClatchey stressed, noting only legally bought marijuana can be used. It needs to be in a sealed container, with the receipt, when the lesson begins. “I’m teaching people how to use their product.”
And don’t forget to have your identification handy, as participants need to be age 19 or older.
For more information, visit www.cannabishighcookingschool.
