Meet Jamie Evans | Author & Creator of The Herb Somm

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I am the creator of The Herb Somm, which is a culinary-meets-cannabis blog and lifestyle brand that focuses on the gourmet side of the cannabis industry.

My relationship with cannabis began back in college while studying wine and viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but it wasn’t until January 2017 that I began using cannabis for medical purposes, or with intention. I had witnessed a terrible car accident and couldn’t sleep. Instead of turning to alcohol or pharmaceutical drugs, I wanted to find a holistic way to heal myself, so I began researching cannabis. Sensitive to products high in THC, I quickly become passionate about its counterpart, CBD, and the other minor cannabinoids. By implementing a regimen using an entourage of phytocannabinoids paired with terpene profiles that best suited my needs, I was able to bring balance back into my life. Not only was my sleep improved, but cannabis enhanced my overall self-care.

The more I learned about cannabis, the more I realized there were so many similarities between cannabis and wine, but the ways in which cannabis works with our internal systems is what ultimately led to my career change. I couldn’t have planned what was going to happen during the past six years since launching my business, but I’ve become very passionate about this community and my fellow peers.

When I launched The Herb Somm in 2017, it was before cannabis was recreationally legal in California. This was back in the medical days, but there was a growing cannabis movement of chefs, edible companies, and infused drink brands popping up, which made the gourmet side of the cannabis industry appealing. In 2018, I decided to take the next step and began organizing educational cannabis dinners in collaboration with cannabis chefs to teach people how to consume infused foods safely and responsibly. While many people might hesitate to consume cannabis-infused cuisine (partly due to past experiences of eating a mystery pot brownie), the dining experiences that I’ve put together showcase how cannabis can be used as a gourmet ingredient to heighten the dining experience without getting guests overly high.

In addition to hosting cannabis dinners and wine and weed experiences, I am also the author of three published books. My first book, The Ultimate Guide to CBD, explores all the many ways to integrate CBD and cannabis into your life, whether it be for self-care, in the kitchen, or for a pet. My second book, Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home, includes a wealth of information covering the infused beverage category, sensory evaluation techniques, mixology tips, how to create infusions, recipes, and more. My third book, which I co-authored with renowned cannabis chef Haejin Chun, will be launching this November 2023. There are many more exciting things on the horizon!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I come from a long history of working in the wine industry. During my years as a wine and viticulture student at Cal Poly, I had the opportunity to study wine in Australia, France, Italy, and Switzerland, so coming out of college, I had a very in-depth understanding of wine from an international perspective.

I was also very lucky to work with some of the world’s top winemaking families and companies, such as the Mondavi family at Folio Fine Wine Partners and the Jackson family at Jackson Family Wines. During my wine career, I had the opportunity to explore many diverse roles as well that focused on marketing, direct-to-consumer sales, public relations, and event planning. I am also a Certified Sommelier, so I still very much consider myself a part of the wine community.

Crossing over to cannabis, I’ve always tried to bridge the gap between the two industries. Just like how we develop a palate for tasting wine, you can also develop a palate for cannabis! Similar to grape varieties, cannabis strains are uniquely different, each having their own look, smell, taste, and effects. Cannabis is also terroir expressive, which makes it a very interesting plant to learn about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
At the moment, one of my favorite places to visit in California is Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. There is so much to do, see, and taste! During one of my recent visits, I had the opportunity to explore a cannabis farm with the Bohemian Chemist (my favorite cannabis brand), go to a wine tasting, and visit an apple cider farm, all in the same day. You’re also in the heart of the redwoods, so there is something so magical about the ancient forest. There are many hiking trails around, so you can get lost among the giant trees and totally check out.

I also love the restaurants and accommodations around the area. Be sure to eat at the Wickson restaurant and stay at The Madrones in Philo. On the hotel property, you can also taste wine at Long Meadow Ranch and visit the Bohemian Chemist cannabis dispensary. It’s truly a one-stop-shop for visitors exploring the area!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my amazing co-author, Chef Haejin Chun, who is the founder of the culinary cannabis events company Big Bad Wolf SF. It’s been such an incredible journey creating a cookbook together and I am so proud of what we’ve created. I am also grateful for my mother, who passed away in 2019. She knew how to live life to the fullest and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. She is still my role model and spiritual teacher. I am so honored to be her daughter, so I would love to dedicate my shoutout to her.

Website: www.TheHerbSomm.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theherbsomm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-evans-95a4952b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theherbsomm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theherbsomm

Image Credits
Main photo – Monica Lo (@sousweed), Terpene photo (Untold Creative Agency) Drink photo (Colleen Eversman for Cannabis Drinks) Almond Cake (Tyler Arneson) Jamie Evans Flower Image (Heather Tafolla)