Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chef Jadie Byrd.
Hi Chef Byrd, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Chef Jadie. I am the owner and Executive Chef of Eat Di Herb. Eat Di Herb is a vegan/plant-based cannabis catering company that I started in 2018. I transitioned into a vegan lifestyle in 2017. Early on in the transition, I realized I did not have access to vegan cannabis edibles. At that time, edibles had not yet evolved.
What was most popular at the time were brownies and gummies. That is when I had the idea to infuse vegan Jamaican Patties, and they were an absolute hit. The Jamaican Patties were actually the only item I sold for a long time.
Since then, I have become an internationally booked chef, published cookbook author (Eat Di Herb), cooking TV show host, cake artist, cannabis educator, curator, and activist. I earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition/Dietetics and Nursing from Georgia State University. I am very aware that I am in my calling. Part of that calling is breaking negative stigmas about veganism and cannabis with some bomb-ass food.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been so many ebbs and flows on this journey of entrepreneurship. The food world is dynamic, challenging, and volatile. Because of this, I am super grateful that I know my “whys”. I am so in love with what I do. I truly believe in the healing that food and herbs offer. I’ve healed myself, healed others, and witnessed people’s healing journey.
The struggle for cannabis rights and regulation in Georgia has been a trying one. Some folks try to make it hard for us to just live. I remember attending a cannabis advocacy group called GANorml some years back and seeing a toddler start to have a seizure. His mother took CBD oil and put it under his tongue. He stopped seizing in just moments. That moment changed me. That moment made the fight for cannabis rights worth it for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most known for my Jamaican Patties. They are truly my pride and joy. I really have so much fun with what I do. I feel lucky. I feel blessed. My absolute favorite thing to do is decorate cakes. It really tickles my fancy… lol.
I enjoy being creative, the alchemy of baking & cooking, and the intentionality of it all. One of the most unique cake features I offer is what I call a Pipe Dream Cake. They have a built-in smokeable pipe, so you can smoke through your cake instead of lighting candles. Ha! I love it.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve been blessed to have an immense amount of support over the years.
There are many people who I am grateful for. The first person I thought of is an Atlanta-based, Geechie herbalist named Chef Angelica. She taught me a lot of what I know and practice about herbalism as she has kept knowledge of the practice from generations in her family.
Pricing:
- $28 Eat Di Herb Cookbook
- $100-240 Vegan/plant-based meal prep
Contact Info:
