Illinois medical marijuana patients will soon have a line of decadent chef-crafted products to choose from with the announcement of James Beard Award-winning Chef Mindy Segal's new edible line. Segal, owner of Chicago's acclaimed Hot Chocolate Restaurant, is the first high-profile chef to attach her personal brand to products in the cannabis industry.
Chef Segal is partnering with Cresco Labs, Illinois largest cannabis cultivator, to produce the products. They plan for the line of infused products to be available for distribution beginning late February with a variety of delicious and accurately dosed edibles. Her initial products will include a line of chocolate brittle bars, a line of infused granola bites, an infused chocolate drink that is intended to be warmed to enhance the soothing effects, and a ready-made mix with do-it-yourself instructions.
"We've all heard the expression, 'It tastes like medicine' but there's no reason it has to," Chef Segal says. "With my recipes and Cresco's technology, we're developing this line of products to be consistent every time and absolutely enjoyable to eat.”
In 2012, Chef Segal was awarded the James Beard: Outstanding Pastry Chef honor and has been nominated for this category five previous times. She published her first cookbook, Cookie Love, in 2015 followed by a coast-to-coast media and book signing tour.
Chef Segal has also been active in the Greater Food Depository, Community Kitchens, and Charlie Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation. She is now giving back to those suffering from chronic conditions by reinventing the marijuana-infused sweets industry.
"Having someone with Mindy's name brand and credibility enter the cannabis industry says a lot about where this industry is headed," says Charles Bachtell, Cresco Labs Founder. Mindy's edible products will be available at licensed dispensaries across Illinois for patients approved with nearly 40 medical conditions. Distribution agreements will soon have the branded products produced and available for purchase in five additional states.
