The former ‘Chopped’ winner recommends spots for a weed-fueled adventure.
WhenCharleen Caabaywon the New Year ’s Eve edition of The Food web cookery competition showChoppedin 2017 , it had nothing to do with weed . The Filipino - American chef move the judges with her style ofFilipino cuisine , ego - learn in the kitchens of her mother and grandmother . Caabay is broadly credited for introducing Filipino culinary art to the mainstream culinary prospect of the East Bay through her first restaurant , Kainbigan , which she conclude following the profits to allow her to drop time in the Philippines .
In the public centre , Caabay was an come out culinary hotshot reintroduce the world to the wonder of Filipino solace food . Behind the scenes , she was garnering acclaim as a creative cannabis chef and advocate for medical ganja .
“ I ’ve always been intrigued with cannabis - infuse foods , ” says Caabay . “ In 2006 , a protagonist provided me with trimmings from a farm he was working on . At the meter , the trimming was n’t being utilized like this , and , as obtaining that amount of good trim was a rare uncovering , I did n’t take this chance for granted . ”
Charleen Caabay|Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
At that moment , Caabay was unemployed and incertain of how she ’d pay up the next month ’s rent . She started asking around for undesirable trimness , accumulating enough to try out with cooking and dose to perfect the unconscious process of impregnate butter and preparation oils . It did n’t take long for her to become jazz as the hook for classic Mary Jane brownies and cookies .
This continued as she get a Filipino puff food pop - up going , and even as her first eating place opened in 2013 , she experiment with infusingFilipino - inspired dessertsafter hour . Once she deliver home following herChoppedwin and trip-up abroad , she get into the cannabis business more officially with a secret dispensary ( under Oakland’sMeasure Z ) , selling a handful of melody and full spectrum chocolates .
As a instinctive community builder , Caabay see flaws in this emerging legal industry . In 2017 , she Centennial State - foundedThe People ’s Ecosystemwith IT expert Christine De La Rosa to be a “ community catalyst ” that focuses on investments in BIPOC and women - owned and operated marijuana businesses . The duo recentlywon seed backingfor a $ 50 million venture capital fund ( The People ’s Group Fund ) that will invest in “ cannabis businesses have by women , African - Americans , Indigenous mass , and citizenry of colour . ”
“ I ’ve always been thankful for this growing city , despite the change of scene due to gentrification . Positive changes have come out of it , like Oakland lead the way to create an equitable nerve tract for BIPOC residential area to enter the cannabis space . However , it ’s not enough , ” explicate Caabay . “ fatal and brown masses are still incarcerated and are dealing with the repercussions that do n’t reserve them to accede the cannabis space with fair fairness . The industry does n’t set us up to succeed , and I ’ve been commit to creating a path for generational wealth through cannabis for our the great unwashed . ”
We ’ve write about Bay Area cannabis figures like commode pop - up professionalBig Bad Wolfand renowned regional innovations likePotli ’s Shrimp Chips , but for a right usher to enjoying marijuana in the East Bay , we turned to Caabay for her preferent shops , products and places to enjoy them .
Here ’s her guide to a weed - centric battleground stumble in Oakland that supports a strong , more equitable industry with every dollar mark .
Where to shop
Blunts And Moore“Since its opening , Blunts and Moore has always been about community . Through the challenges and past riots , it ’s boob seeing them get back up and keep push . They host a plethora of social equity brands . ”
Have A Heart“This Seattle - hold cannabis brand made a name for itself through one of the diligence ’s first agreements with organized project , the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union ( UFCW ) . At the Oakland position , they ’ve prioritized access to locals and societal equity - owned mark . They ’re also close to Chinatown and Old Oakland , which are thriving local nightlife destinations . ”
What to smoke
“ DIOS , Doing it Ourselves in Oakland , is a Black and woman - own societal fairness make . The owner , Mahlate , is a consecrate small business owner with very high character indoor flower that can now be found in several dispensaries throughout California . "
“ you’re able to find the United Playaz Blunt — a blunt create to support formerly incarcerated folks who need common aid funds — inBarbary Coastand elsewhere . United Playazis a vital local arrangement supporting the residential area through gun repurchase events , gratuitous COVID testing and vaccine clinic , and fundraisers for youth programme . ”
Where to enjoy it
“ The Bay Area has stunning scene . Nature is my go - to and has been cure alongside ganja . We ’re surrounded by waterways and local hilltops in theJoaquin Millerparts — head to that 500 - Akka park for miles of lead through redwood groves and across winding creeks . And bring your dog ! There are on and off leash area . ”
