Rachel Burkons - Sip & Savor

Can you share a bit about your background and how you became involved in the cannabis industry?

Rachel: I spent more than a decade working in the wine and spirits industry, where I had the opportunity to work with pretty much every major player in beverage alcohol, and worked very closely with suppliers to develop trade-facing marketing, education, events, and editorial. In 2015, after a trip to Humboldt, I met cannabis cultivators talking about terroir and cultivation techniques - and realized that there was much more in common between wine and cannabis, than I had previously thought - and I immediately recognized that cannabis presented an opportunity to explore hospitality through an entirely new lens and category.

From that trip to Humboldt, I co-founded a culinary cannabis hospitality group, Altered Plates, where we began exploring that hospitality led-approach to the service of cannabis alongside food and beverage. We hosted events across California and consulted on several projects in the West Hollywood consumption lounge space. This began my journey to incorporate the work that I had done in the traditional beverage space with the growing cannabis space, and I’ve been on that journey ever since.

What inspired you to create Smoke Sip Savor, and how do you see the intersection of cannabis and culinary experiences evolving?

Rachel: I created Smoke Sip Savor as a way to explore telling the story about how cannabis fit into the culinary world in different ways. There has been - and always will be! - plenty of great places to learn about making a pot brownie - but what about the more elevated applications of cannabis in culinary and hospitality-led applications? I use my platform at Smoke Sip Savor to create that content that presents cannabis in a modern, accessible way (especially to women and moms!).

Ever since I got into the cannabis industry, I have been telling folks that cannabis and the alcohol industries are on a collision course, and it’s been very exciting to see the THC beverage category begin to move the needle meaningfully in that direction. That’s why I have recently founded an agency called Feast & Flower: To support this category and serve as the bridge between these two industries. I am a firm believer that hospitality, particularly the on-premise service of cannabis, has the ability to normalize cannabis in a way that has not yet been done; everyone understands food, drink, and gathering with friends and loved ones around a table; by putting cannabis in that environment, where consumers are already used to exploring new flavors, textures and ingredients, will help drive broader acceptance of this plant.

Can you describe one of the most memorable events you’ve been a part of?

Rachel: One of the most memorable events I have ever been a part of was an Altered Plates dinner we hosted at the legendary James Beard House in New York in 2019. The James Beard House, home to the James Beard Foundation, is one of the most hallowed spaces in the culinary world, and when we were invited to present a terpene and cannabis education to their community, it was a huge honor to be the first people to bring cannabis to this venue. We created terpene-forward dishes and created aromatic pairings featuring hemp flower to help guests understand the connection and nuance between food and cannabis.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in merging cannabis and hospitality, and how have you overcome them?

Rachel: Working on projects in the regulated consumption lounge space (West Hollywood, in particular), has been incredibly difficult. Between prohibitive (and often senseless!) regulations and extremely challenging financial models, this segment has a ways to go before it can reach its potential. I will continue to work through these challenges as this industry develops, but I have been bolstered by the emerging on-premise THC beverage category driven by the hemp segment!

How do you envision Smoke Sip Savor contributing to the broader cannabis community, and what impact do you hope to make?

Rachel: I hope to help normalize cannabis for people who may find benefit from this plant, and I hope to change perceptions by creating content and experiences that challenge the “stoner” stereotype. My goal is for any cannabis experience I manage to be almost imperceptibly infused - if you didn’t look closely, it would look like any other dining experience!

What exciting projects or initiatives are on the horizon for Smoke Sip Savor?

Rachel: My biggest focus right now is on Feast & Flower and its ability to serve the THC beverage category by building events and programming that connect traditional beverage industries and professionals with the THC Beverage segment. We’re activating around several key beverage events in the coming months, and are excited to bring cannabis along for the conversation.

Smoke Sip Savor will continue to create content and experiences that elevate cannabis, and I am currently focused on my work as a Budist, where I am a professional critic and am working on building out some very impactful in-person experiences.

How can our readers connect with you, and what’s the best way for them to support your work?

Rachel: Follow me! @SmokeSipSavor @FeastandFlower on IG and Email me: [email protected] [email protected]

Know someone doing cool shit in the cannabis industry? Nominate them to be featured in the Creator Spotlight in an upcoming edition!