Creating the “Fond” for Cannabis Use in Culinary
Andrew Hyland: Mr.TasteTree’s
Taking your medicine has never tasted better now that Mr. TasteTree is in business. He is taking medical culinary creations to a whole new realm and making mouth watering treats with the symptom altering benefits that come with cannabis. He combines his passion with his renowned education at Le Cordon Bleu and if that doesn’t entice you sufficiently… all of his edibles are made from scratch with fresh Non-GMO ingredients. Can it get any better? Yes… read on.
What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?
My passion for food and its ability to bring joy to others which, in turn, brings joy to myself to be able to put out a medical product that can save a life or make someone’s life more enjoyable. It absolutely fills my heart with joy. Furthermore, at age 16 I was diagnosed with PTSD and found cannabis to be much more effective than traditional medications.
I was diagnosed with PTSD and found cannabis to be much more effective than traditional medications.
What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?
At 15 years old I quit school and found work in a French kitchen as Garde Manger to help my grandmother pay rent and I loved it. Having that job taught me an enormous amount at an early age. I have always had a passion for working with food as a child for birthdays and holidays; Instead of asking for toys, I was the kid asking for silverware and culinary contraptions.
Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?
Right now, my passion and energy is being spent as a full time student at Le Cordon Bleu studying baking and patisserie and trying to perfect my recipes and in my off-time, engaging in self-study of molecular gastronomy.
Describe your work ethic to me in one word.
Ambitious.
What do you consider your weakness as an entrepreneur? Your strength?
To put it simply and truthfully, funds. I come from a poor and homeless background and scraping the money needed to get by, let alone the ability to pay for the quality ingredients and packaging needed, is often overwhelming at times. However, the feeling of accomplishment and witnessing the joy of others who enjoy your product surpasses the exhaustion and drives my ambition.
How are you differentiating yourself from the competition?
I use only the absolute best in quality of ingredients in my foods. My products are Non-GMO, they are completely made from scratch, and I also offer healthy alternatives for my patisseries, as well as tirelessly studying my craft earning a world renowned education at Le Cordon Bleu.
How do you find inspiration in this industry? What have you found that has inspired you?
A couple of things that inspires me in this industry are the sense of community and compassion for others. Most involved in this industry are kind-hearted individuals who share the same passion and ideas and welcome anyone as family of their own. The cannabis culture and industry are often glorified as violent and reckless… and I couldn’t disagree more.
The cannabis culture and industry are often glorified as violent and reckless… and I couldn’t disagree more.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Always have your Mise en place.
What’s your newest knowledge about the marijuana industry?
Medical advances in pediatrics. Marijuana has so many medical uses that save lives every day and replace the use of dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, especially for children and those with mental illnesses.
If you could rewind time to 5 years ago, how would your business be different?
I would have listened to my heart more, as I do now, and disregard negativity of those who doubted my success. Always do what you love no matter what anyone has to say about it.
What will we be seeing from you and Mr.TasteTree’s in the coming future?
In the future you will see Mr.Tastetree’s paving the way for the use of cannabis in the food industry and incorporation of molecular gastronomy in our products.
