Cannabis Culinary Summit Presenters

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Travis Petersen

Chef Travis Petersen, also known as “The Nomad Cook,” is a renowned culinary expert, culinary cannabis trailblazer, and entrepreneur specializing in cannabis-infused cuisine. With a passion for infusing culinary arts with cannabis, he has introduced over 15,000 individuals to their first infused dining experience. His culinary journey has spanned across Canada, Holland, France, the UK, and the United States, fostering collaborations with over 100 brands in the cannabis and culinary sectors.

His signature pop-up series, “Nomadic Nights,” showcases his innovative approach in 29 cities across the US, capturing global attention through extensive press and media features. Chef Petersen’s events attract a diverse audience, with an average age of 38 years, predominantly comprising 59.7% females and including 8.23% first-time cannabis users. His work not only delights the palate but also bridges communities, setting new standards in the fusion of gastronomy and cannabis.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Chef Travis developed a passion for cooking and cannabis culture at a young age. He gained widespread recognition after appearing on the reality TV show MasterChef Canada in 2016, showcasing his culinary talents to a national audience. Following his brief appearance on MasterChef Canada, Chef Travis founded The Nomad Cook and embarked on a culinary journey across western Canada, hosting over 1000 pop-ups and serving tens of thousands of guests their first infused dining experiences. He is known for pioneering Culinary Cannabis into the mainstream and is respected for his expertise in accurately dosing cannabis in culinary creations, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for his guests.

Chef Travis sets out to share his knowledge and empower home cooks and aspiring chefs interested in cooking with cannabis responsibly and accurately. His dedication to elevating the culinary cannabis industry has made him a prominent figure in the field, shaping the future of infused cuisine with creativity, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.

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Nathan Koscielski, CCE

Chef Nathan Koscielski, Certified Culinary Educator (CCE) is an Associate Professor of Culinary Arts at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI) at SUNY Niagara and has been with them for the last eight years. Before starting at NFCI, Chef Koscielski taught at the secondary level for nine years as a high school culinary arts instructor where he was awarded the CAFÉ & Kendall College Green Runner-Up Award (2015) for creating a “true” farm-to-table program.

Chef Koscielski has worked at The Buffalo Club as the Banquet Chef (2005–2007) and under Chef Norman Hart, CEC, CCE, AAC at The Niagara Club as his Sous Chef (2002–2005). He has earned his Associate of Specialized Technology of Culinary Arts from the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts (2002), his Bachelor of Science (2009) and his Master of Science (2011), both in Career and Technical Education, and both from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

Chef Koscielski is recognized for creating the State University of New York’s (SUNY) first-ever credit-bearing culinary cannabis focused lecture and lab courses. Chef Koscielski began teaching the first culinary cannabis lecture-style course, titled “CUL 250 - Culinary Cannabis and Edibles” during the spring semester of 2021 which was four months BEFORE New York State’s Bill S854A, enacting the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, passed.