There’s never been a better time to be an edibles chef

It’s safe to say that the culinary palate of cannabis has moved beyond brownies. In fact, flavors and cuisine have become so exciting with marijuana that several talented chefs have packed up their knives and left their jobs at Michelin-star restaurants to pursue a life of culinary cannabis.

acc CNBC, edible chefs typically make between $50,000 and $100,000 per year depending on experience level and job requirements. This salary range is similar to that of a restaurant chef. But unlike typical restaurants, which have faced a plethora of difficulties and bureaucracy during the pandemic, the life of a cannabis chef seems to be suffused with more opportunity every day.

In 2021, documented legal sales of edibles continued to skyrocket, nearly reaching $3.6 billion. This growth should continue. “Sales of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages are projected to grow to an estimated $8.24 billion by 2025,” accordingly extra.

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The market has grown so much that even higher education is adapting to the growing need for cannabis chefs in the workforce. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) now offers a certificate that culinary students can earn to help them become proficient in cooking with cannabis.

The “Culinary Cannabis and Edibles Specialty Certificate” was created to demonstrate that the chef has the “skills, knowledge and competence to safely handle culinary cannabis and edibles”. according to the American Culinary Federation.

One of the biggest names in culinary cannabis right now is Andrea Drummer. This LA-based chef is making waves and headlines with America’s first legal cannabis restaurant, Original cannabis cafe. This popular West Hollywood restaurant “represents the first of many potential legal cannabis cafes and lounges across the country,” according to the statement Food & Wine.

There is also great side hustle potential for cannabis chefs to grow into thriving businesses. The culinary world of cannabis is churning out everything from intimate dinners to cannabis cookbooks, and the crowds are biting.

Jessica Catalano has been dubbed the “pioneer of strain-specific cannabis cuisine,” and she website goes into detail about the “Hemptarian Diet” that she developed. Catalano has made legalized recreational marijuana her culinary playground — she’s testing new waters and finding success navigating those new waters. She even published a popular cookbook”The Ganja Revolution: The Cannabis Kitchen Bible.”

RELATED: Debunking 4 Common Myths About Edibles

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Chef Miguel Trinidad’s “99th Floor” is an example of a respected chef creating a lucrative side business through the use of cannabis. The 99th Floor is an exclusive private dinner club in New York City, whose mission is “Destigmatize cannabis through the universal language of food”.

RELATED: Is Marijuana Powder a Game Changer for Edibles?

99th floor Facebook site also hints at a range of edibles that should be available in pharmacies soon. Now that New York has legalized recreational marijuana, edible chefs like Trinidad who have built a local reputation will be a step ahead of the competition in this highly lucrative segment of the market.

The life of a chef is never boring, and thanks to legalized marijuana, it’s getting more and more exciting in many states. As edibles become more popular and more states legalize recreational cannabis, the need for quality culinary cannabis professionals will also grow. Maybe it’s time to dust off the chef’s coat and head downstairs to the kitchen.