TORONTO – George Brown College’s Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt), Lifford Cannabis Solutions, Dale & Lessmann LLP, Food Starter, and Restaurants Canada have come together to form the Infused Innovations Initiative. This collaboration brings together a unique fusion of professions to service the food and beverage entrepreneur who is seeking to participate in the cannabis edibles market.
A one-of-a-kind culinary education event will take place at George Brown College on October 15, 2018, two days before recreational cannabis products are legalized in Canada. Los Angeles-based Herbal Chef™ Chris Sayegh will lead a full-day educational event specific to cannabis edibles, including a non-infused breakfast and lunch at George Brown College’s student-run restaurant, The Chefs’ House (215 King St E.). The full-day event includes tour of the college’s FIRSt labs and presentations by: Deloitte Canada on consumer trends; the Allergen Control Group on food safety; Dale & Lessmann LLP on legal considerations regarding edibles; distribution issues from Lifford Cannabis Solutions; Food Starter on funding options; Province Brands on infusing beverages with THC; representatives from licensed cannabis producers; Restaurants Canada on restaurants’ duty of care; and much more. Tickets are available online for $550.00. Space is limited to 50 participants.
While edibles are scheduled for legalization in Canada later in 2019, many food and beverage manufacturers are preparing now for this market opportunity. The cannabis edibles market is projected to have a value of $12 billion and entrepreneurial interest is building to understand how to participate in this innovative new space.
“By working with leading industry partners we can swiftly and cost-effectively commercialize new food products – and we look forward to offering expertise on this growing new culinary market,” says Dr. Rick Huijbregts, George Brown College’s Vice President, Strategy & Innovation. George Brown College’s FIRSt is an applied research facility located in downtown Toronto that specializes in food and beverage product development from concept to commercialization.
Tricia Ryan, Director of FIRSt says, “We are now hearing from numerous clients, almost daily, with an increasing interest in cannabis product development. At FIRSt, we’re able to help clients with professional sourcing, dosing and food safety issues in this burgeoning sector.”
The Innovation Infusions Initiative will also present An Evening with Chef Chris Sayegh on October 16 at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen with a five-course non-infused dinner. Tickets are available online.
About Chris Sayegh, The Herbal ChefTM
Chris is a passionate science and biology student who turned to the chemistry of food and herbs, to feed the intellectual side of his creations. A walking brand full of charisma and charm, he has pioneered Cannabis Infused Fine-Dining in an effort to elevate the perception of cannabis through mainstream media.
About the Infused Innovations Initiative
The Infused Innovations Initiative is a public-private partnership committed to educating and supporting cannabis entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector through conferences, courses, training, commercial kitchen space and community. Focusing on providing supporting resources for cannabis entrepreneurs to achieve food safety and cannabis compliance, the initiative will educate and provide legal space for the research and development of safe products, achieving food safety and cannabis compliance from concept to commercial distribution.
About George Brown College
Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three campuses located across the downtown core. George Brown offers 167 full-time programs and 191 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of over 30,000 (full-time enrolment) students, including 23 per cent international students; and over 68,000 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
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For more media information, please contact:
Nikki Luscombe
Manager of Corporate & Employee Communications
George Brown College
416-415-5000 x 3767
nikki.luscombe@georgebrown.ca
