Are You the Next High Times NorCal Top Cannabis Chef—Or Can You Crown Who Is?

Calling all cannabis chefs and edible foodies! Competitors and judges, are needed!

Enter the High Times Cannabis Cup Cook-Off presented by Chef Brandon Allen with Pot D’Huile, June 3 & 4, in Santa Rosa, California.

It’s not just a contest, but an immersive cannabis experience! Visit the High Times Application Form NOW to apply for your chance to compete or judge!

Within the Cook-Off at the High Times Cannabis Cup, fresh competition is brewing—challenging top cannabis chefs to create their best dishes in a fast-paced, head-to-head battle to determine whose flavors are the freshest and whose techniques are the most refined and innovative.

Hosted by High Times, each round of the competition will be decided by a panel of judges, who will be evaluating dishes based on appearance, taste and originality in integrating cannabis infusions with the finished food. Points will be awarded from 1 to 5 in each category, and the chef awarded the most points will proceed to the next round.

Chefs will compete one-on-one, preparing a cannabis-infused dish within a specified time limit. Chefs will have access to a diverse pantry, including ingredients from regional and international cuisines. Judges will sample competitors’ dishes, grade the results and select a winner from each round to advance to the next.

After three rounds of intense head-to-head cooking, a champion will be crowned!

Many will enter, but only one will emerge victorious! The Champion Cannabis Chef will receive a High Times plaque and a featured recipe on HighTimes.com.

Adding to the live cannabis experience, attendees will receive an up-close look at culinary cannabis arts in action, complete with cooking demonstrations, Q&A’s with top cannabis chefs and edible samples, as well as a very special seminar & cooking demo with the 2017 SoCal winner, Chef Brandon Allen.

If you would like to compete, please read on for details.

Round Themes

At the beginning of each battle, the host will bring out a mystery basket of select protein and ingredients. Each chef will receive identical baskets. Chefs will dive in and create their dishes in a timed, 30 minutes. The best dishes should integrate the cannabis infusions, without compromising the integrity of an award-winning dish.

Chef Selection Announcements: Chefs will be announced in the week leading up to the cup, May 31. Selected chefs will receive free entry into High Times Cannabis Cup event, plus an extra pass for one guest.

Requirements to Enter: Must have culinary experience and be knowledgeable about cannabis. Participants must bring their own knives and will be permitted two special personal ingredients. Special ingredients must be pre-approved by the event coordinator.

Time: The clock will begin as soon as the basket has been revealed. Chefs will have 30 minutes to prepare 4 plates of finished food, 3 of which are intended for the judges. One plate is reserved for photography/host sampling. All food must be on the plate by the time the buzzer sounds or it cannot be served. Feel free to over-cook, the crowd loves finger-pickin’s!

Potency: THC potency should be kept to 5 – 25 milligrams per dish, and the portion sizes should be “tasting size.” The host will provide 25 mg of infused cooking oil for each individual cook off.

Basic Infusions: The basic infusion will be created by Pot d’Huile and will be a basic cooking oil. Each dish is measured to be 25 mg prior to heat. Chefs are limited to using only the infusions provided by High Times. This is intended to create a level playing field for the competition. Please do not bring your own cannabis infusions.

FAQ’s:

Can chefs bring their own special ingredients/elements?
Yes, chefs are allowed to bring 2 special ingredients or elements such as plating garnishes. These must be pre-approved.

Can chefs bring their own special equipment?
Yes, chefs are required to bring their own knives. Cookware, such as pans and other tools, can be brought; however, keep in mind the limited space an outdoor kitchen provides.

Can chefs have sous chefs?
No sous chefs.

Registration Application Deadline: May 30

Rules:

Competitors will create and prepare an infused meal using the culinary basket. Said basket will be unveiled, and a timer will start. Competitors have 30 minutes to create, cook and plate their dishes.

Chefs will plate small portions for the expert judging panel and one for photos & host tasting.

Cooking Stations:

Each chef will have access to a cooking station outfitted with an induction burner, a toaster oven, cutting board, mixing bowls, measuring spoons and basic utensils. Fresh water and bus tubs are provided for clean up.

Shared will be a table of spices and pantry items—food processor, blender and assorted other kitchenware.

Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to set up your competition station.

If you are bringing any gear that requires electricity, please notify High Times in advance, so we can make sure your needs are met.

Equipment for Live Cooking Kitchens :

The following equipment will be available for each participant in the live cooking kitchen: work tables, refrigerator, induction plate, blender, Kitchen Aid mixer, sink with cold water, electrical ovens, at least two electric sockets 110v, cutting boards, proper utensil selection (ladle, spoons, measuring cups, etc.), plus a bus tub for used equipment and Sani water bin. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS A TRAVELING LIVE COOKING EVENT. You will have to deal with the elements, think on your feet and handle typical kitchen flare ups. Fire extinguishers on site. 🙂

Thank you, chefs, and good luck!

(Cover photo by Dale Shirley)

Don’t care about food (WHO ARE YOU?!?), but still want to attend the 2017 High Times NorCal Cannabis Cup?!? No worries! Tickets are available HERE.