Jennifer Zavala is a Philadelphia-based chef who considers marijuana “just another spice.” When cooking, taste is not her only priority. For Zavala, the way it makes people feel is just as important.
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Zavala appears to be a chef on the surface. She wears the apron, pairs flavors expertly, and has an eye for quality. But, she is so much more. Her focus on cannabis cooking has transformed her from chef into a healer.
She started her career working in a vegan restaurant. This experience allowed her to learn about macrobiotic cooking and the healing powers of food. During this time, and throughout her career, Zavala learned about herbs and spices, and how they could benefit the human body. She used this information to create healing meals to tackle her own health issues, and eventually, her father’s.
Before her father was diagnosed with bladder cancer, Zavala had been crafting cannabis edibles to medicate herself. But, to help him heal, she began making edibles specifically for him. To treat his aches and pains, she would would make things he loved, like ginger tumeric gummy bears.
Her healing cooking started to catch on, and others were requesting her medicated meals. When someone asks her to cater a cannabis dinner, she always asks them what their health issues are. Zavala gathers information about their ailments, their favorite flavors, and their energy. Then, she crafts a dinner using the best cannabis and spices for that person’s needs.
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“I’ve become a cannabis whisperer, listening to peoples’ health issues and deciding which strain is best for them,” said Zavala.
Wondering how high people are getting at these dinners? The answer is, just the right amount. Zavala prepares meals that contain well-balanced amounts of cannabis. This way, her clients don’t get so high that they can’t enjoy the experience.
“Everyone seems to be just throwing weed in stuff. You can’t do that. Especially with people who have health issues or extreme dietary restrictions. They can’t just have tons of weed. This could have an adverse effect,“ she said.
What kind of people are looking for cannabis catering? According to Zavala, all kinds.
“Health concerns and sickness affects everyone.”
She’s made cannabis meals for pastors, affluent housewives, and people suffering with cancer. In fact, Zavala says that many of her clients are older people in their golden years.
“I think a lot of people are embarrassed to say that they use or smoke weed. But, when I cook for my clients, I can see that they feel alive. It’s like seeing a human transform.”
Zavala cooks cannabis meals for people with all kinds of ailments. She helps clients deal with stress, get better sleep, manage Dementia, Alzheimer’s, HIV, and Rheumatoid arthritis.
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“People want to feel normal, whatever that is for each person, without becoming addicted. I have yet to receive any solo cup, party-fueled dinners.”
Zavala shared a story of a client whose father was dying of cancer. She wanted her father to attend her graduation, but he was always too nauseous and weak to leave the house. Zavala cooked him cannabis meals for a week, slowly building the cannabinoids up in his system. Her healing meals allowed the girl’s father to feel well enough to attend her big day.
This story means a lot to Zavala, because it’s a blatant example of how cannabis can help the people who really need it. Part of her goal is make cannabis use normal, especially for those suffering with health issues.
“The best compliment I get is when people tell me that I make cannabis use seem so normal,” she says.
She hopes that her efforts can help remove the stigma of cannabis being a party drug.
“This is how I take care of myself as opposed to how I have a good time,” she says.
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