High Hopes: How the Culinary Cannabis Company is Elevating Illinois Edibles
- Apr 13
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 14
The cannabis edibles industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, and at the forefront of this movement are Kate and Dave Nadolski, siblings and founders of the Culinary Cannabis Company. Based in Des Plaines, Illinois, their debut house brand, CulinaryCannaCo™, is set to make waves in the market.
Kate and Dave recently shared their business journey into the still-new world of Illinois adult-use cannabis with local Small Talk podcast host Andrea Biewer. Andrea is the Executive Director of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, and although she is no stranger to hearing about the challenges of entrepreneurial startups, Kate and Dave’s journey is unique with its challenges in this young, federally illegal, and somewhat uncharted Illinois industry. The siblings and their team hold one of the very few coveted Illinois adult-use cannabis infusion licenses.
The Culinary Cannabis Company’s craft cannabis infusion facility has already birthed a family of brands, including CulinaryCannaCo and Nightlife, which is coming this fall. The company also seeks to partner with brands, cultivators, and dispensaries to help them develop their brands and offer co-labeling opportunities.
Join us now to
read the highlights of the Des Plaines Small Talk interview. If you’d like to hear the original podcast in its entirety, you can listen HERE.
FROM PIPE DREAM TO REALITY: THE JOURNEY OF CULINARYCANNACO™
Dave and Kate Nadolski’s journey into the cannabis industry began with a casual conversation. Both had successful careers—Dave as a professor at Oakton College and a salesman, and Kate in the industrial food ingredient industry. The idea of combining their expertise to create a cannabis company took root during discussions about the potential legalization of recreational cannabis in Illinois.
As Kate shared, “I have always been partaking in cannabis for most of my life. Dave has been on and off, but we always thought it (CulinaryCannaCo™) was a pipe dream, so to speak, to say, hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if we could do that?”
Dave’s background in academia lead to the turning point in their decision to apply for the IL recreational adult-use infusion license. A former competitive speech student came to Dave, after studying alongside an attorney seeking to focus in cannabis law, with the request to present to him a slideshow on how to apply for an IL recreational adult-use cannabis license. Dave shared this presentation with Kate, outlining the feasibility of entering the cannabis market.
“David came to me with the slideshow the very next day, and he gave me the presentation, and he was like, this is doable. We don’t have to have a team of lawyers like everybody else.”
The catalyst for their venture was Governor Pritzker’s announcement about the legalization of recreational cannabis. This historic event spurred the siblings to seriously consider entering the industry. They recognized a unique opportunity to leverage their skills and create something innovative and impactful..
“We heard that Governor Pritzker was going to legalize cannabis, and it was like a light bulb moment for us,” Dave recalls. “Kate had been in the food industry for years, and we just thought, ‘Why not combine our skills and make something great?’”
“It felt like the Prohibition era all over again,” Kate adds. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a brand-new industry without a glass ceiling.”
BUILDING THE BRAND: CULINARYCANNACO™
Together they aimed to develop high-quality, delicious cannabis edibles that would appeal to both new and experienced users.
Starting a cannabis company was no easy feat. The siblings faced numerous challenges, from navigating the legal requirements to securing funding and establishing a reliable supply chain. Their perseverance and commitment to their vision were instrumental in overcoming these hurdles.
“It’s hard, but not impossible,” Dave says about starting the company. “We faced a lot of challenges, but we were determined to make it work.”
“We knew it would be tough, but we believed in our vision,” Kate shares. “Every obstacle was just a stepping stone to success.”
LEVERAGING SOCIAL EQUITY FOR LICENSING
A significant advantage in their application process was Kate’s status under Illinois’ social equity program. This program was designed to right the wrongs of past cannabis laws that disproportionately affected certain communities and individuals.
Kate explained, “We found out that I was social equity because my husband had previously been incarcerated for cannabis possession with intent to distribute. The social equity status provided crucial bonus points in the highly competitive application process.
“The state of Illinois decided to give an extra 20% points to social equity applicants,” Kate elaborated. The fact that they were a determined, self-funded, brother-sister team may have helped them stand out among numerous applications, many of which were backed by teams of lawyers and significant financial resources.
OVERCOMING FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL HURDELS
Even with the ability to beat odds and overcome some of these initial obstacles, the journey continued to remain challenging. The financial and logistical hurdles were daunting.
“It was $5000 to apply, and we were up against applicants with much deeper pockets,” Dave recalled. An investor even warned Kate that they would be wasting their money, given the competition. “Kate called me frustrated, saying if we had nothing to do all day except for the application, maybe we’d have a chance.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, turned out to be a silver lining. Governor Pritzker extended the application deadline, giving Dave and Kate additional time to perfect their submission.
Dave mentioned, “My boss called me and said, Dave, I’m going to pay you to stay home and do nothing… (but the application!).”
THE FINAL PUSH
With both Dave and Kate able to focus entirely on the application, thanks to job changes and severance pay, they worked tirelessly to meet the deadline.
“We both could write the application. He didn’t have to work, and I didn’t have to,” Kate said. The culmination of their efforts saw them racing to submit the application which was officially received just minutes before the deadline, highlighting their determination and commitment.
NEXT STEPS: COMMINTMENT TO FOOD SAFETY AND FDA COMPLIANCE
Kate and Dave Nadolski’s commitment to food safety and compliance is deeply rooted in Kate’s extensive experience in the food industry.
“To bring it back home, we’ve built our facility to be FDA-compliant because of Kate’s experience,” Dave highlighted.
This dedication ensures that their cannabis products meet high safety and quality standards, even though cannabis is not federally legal and therefore not subject to FDA regulations. Dave and Kate appreciate the stringent regulations in Illinois, which help maintain high standards and protect consumers.
“In other states, everyone gets a license, and it’s a race to the bottom in these multi-state deep-pocket places, which ends up ruining the market,” Dave noted.
Kate added that they see Illinois’ regulations as beneficial, despite being challenging, because they ensure consumer health and safety.
“We’re appreciative of regulations, as tough as they are, because they are for the health of the consumer,” Dave emphasized.
SEED TO SALE TRACKING
Illinois’ seed-to-sale tracking system is another layer of assurance for consumers. This system meticulously tracks each cannabis plant from seed to final product.
“There is a system, a seed-to-sale tracking system, where the state actually tracks each plant from the time it is a seed that goes into the ground with a licensed craft grow Cannabis, Illinois operator and tracks it all the way through to the infuser, then to the dispensary, and eventually to the consumer,” Kate explained. This rigorous process ensures transparency and safety in the production and distribution of their cannabis products.
Kate pointed out, “Having been in the food industry for as long as I have, I understand that food safety is the most important thing.”
To show this core value is more than just words, the company has teamed up with Trumarks to offer a customer interactive anti-counterfeit technology that allows the consumer the ability to see lab test results tracing their product back to its manufacturing spot in line, within the lot it was created, as well as provide recipe ideas, promotions and more.
LEVERAGING FOOD INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE AND FDA STANDARDS
Kate’s extensive background in the food industry has been instrumental in establishing rigorous quality control standards for CulinaryCannaCo™ Despite cannabis not being federally legal and thus not subject to FDA regulations, the company voluntarily adheres to these high standards.
“We implement FDA standards even though we aren’t federally legal,” Kate emphasized. This commitment to quality ensures their products are safe, consistent, and of the highest quality.
Kate, and her team’s experience with food safety protocols has been a cornerstone in developing their cannabis infusion processes.
“Our team is well-versed in food industry best practices, which we’ve integrated into our cannabis operations,” Kate explained.
This expertise has allowed them to create products that meet stringent safety and efficacy standards, earning consumer trust and setting a benchmark in the industry.
One critical challenge for any cannabis company is establishing a safe and reliable supply chain.
“We’ve applied the same principles of supply chain management from the food industry to our cannabis business,” Kate noted.
CULINARYCANNACO™: THE NEW PANTRY STAPLE
Kate explained, “Our brand is Culinary CannaCo™, and it’s targeted at the pantry segment, especially for those with dietary restrictions.” This includes sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free options, ensuring inclusivity for consumers with specific dietary requirements within the offerings of our brand.
Unlike many cannabis edibles on the market, CulinaryCannaCo™ offers a unique variety of infused pantry staples.
Cannabis-infused sweeteners and cooking oils allow virtually any recipe to become infused with cannabinoids. While the oil is not for frying due to a reduction of efficacy, baking and mixing the oils are a great way of infusing cannabis into your preferred food lifestyle. Additionally, they offer boxed mixes for baked goods such as birthday cake mixes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and waffles.
THREE-MINUTE ONSET EDIBLE!
CulinaryCannaCo’s partnership with Elevated Incubations has led to the development of fast-acting edibles.
Dave highlighted, “Our edibles set in 3 minutes. It’s an industry-disrupting technology.”
This rapid onset is achieved through a delivery method initially developed for cancer and HIV drugs, allows the THC to be absorbed through the lymphatic system instead of the digestive system.
“Our recipes are 100% customizable,” Dave added. With us, consumers can start with a low dose, such as 2.5 milligrams per serving, and adjust according to their needs.
This flexibility helps avoid the common issue of overconsumption seen with traditional edibles and is the first adjustable edible in the nation.
EXPANSION PLANS
Looking ahead, Dave and Kate have ambitious plans to expand CulinaryCannaCo™ They aim to introduce new product lines, explore partnerships, and expand their market presence beyond Illinois. Their vision includes making CulinaryCannaCo™ a household name in the cannabis edibles industry.
“We’re just getting started,” Kate says enthusiastically. “There are so many opportunities out there, and we’re ready to seize them.”
Innovation is at the heart of Culinary Cannabis Company’s strategy. The company continuously researches new formulations and techniques to enhance the quality and variety of its products. By staying at the forefront of industry trends, it aims to maintain a competitive edge.
“Innovation is key,” Dave states. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our products and offer something new to our customers.
LOCAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Starting a new business often requires strong community support, and Dave and Kate have found just that in Des Plaines.
“First of all, the planning department and Des Plaines have been phenomenal, including Samantha, who is awesome,” Dave shared. Kate added, “Everybody here has been honestly, very, very nice, genuine, and very welcoming.”
The local government’s support has been instrumental in helping them navigate the complexities of starting their business.
“They don’t act like they want to gouge for extra taxes. Des Plaines is very welcoming and does not try to be unfair. They’re trying to help us as much as they can. We really appreciate all of you,” Kate emphasized. Dave highlighted the positive impact they hope to make: “Yeah, it’s been an excellent experience, and we will bring jobs to the community.”
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION
Dave’s role as a professor at Oakton College, which offers the first certificate in cannabis in the United States, presents a unique opportunity for collaboration.
“I have been working with the department chair, Steve Fix. We are currently planning to create an infusion certificate,” Dave revealed.
This would be the first program of its kind in the nation, further cementing their commitment to education and community engagement.
Kate elaborated on their outreach plans: “We intend to do outreach with Oakton College in that area with that department and the graduating students and help them understand the industry.”
Dave added, “I understand that the Chamber of Commerce has veterans and the Back to Work Boot Camp, and we would be very happy to speak to them.”Being active members of the Chamber of Commerce has provided Dave and Kate with valuable support and networking opportunities.
“It’s been so great, welcoming, and awesome. There have been some great members and events, and you have done a great job,” Dave praised. Kate humorously added, “And we aim to be the second McDonald’s here,” to which Andrea replied, “That’s awesome, but not second, like you will be the first.”
Kate’s long-term residency in Illinois has been a significant factor in their business journey.
“I’ve been here for 18 years, and I’m thrilled that Illinois ensured that anybody who applied had to show five years of residency,” Kate noted. This residency requirement has helped keep the industry local and prevented out-of-state entities from taking over.
CULINARYCANNACO™: CONNECTING WITH DISPENSARIES AND CONSUMERS
Although CulinaryCannaCo.™ does not sell directly to consumers, they maintain a strong presence in the dispensary market.
“Let’s say I own a dispensary in Illinois and want to sell your products or have a product idea. Would you work with someone and develop stuff together?” Andrea asked. Kate responded, “Absolutely.”
Dave emphasized their willingness to collaborate: “Who wants to enter the market outside of Illinois? We can discuss it.
“WE TOTALLY WANT TO GET INTO YOUR PANTRIES.™”
In keeping with their light-hearted and personable approach, Dave and Kate have embraced a bit of humor in their branding.
“We totally want to get into your pantries,” Kate joked, highlighting their focus on pantry-friendly cannabis products. “Being pantry-focused, yes, that’s good. We trademarked it so your dispensary can have that neon sign,” Kate added.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As Kate pointed out, “We are an independent, woman-owned company, and we need all the help we can get. This marketplace is big and has deep pockets, and we are doing this on our own.”
Their journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and the impact of a locally-focused approach.
Dave and Kate are thrilled to have their products available in the Illinois marketplace, and to support jobs, the community and those who appreciate something that’s just a little different.
WANT TO HELP?
Ask your local Illinois Dispensary to carry CulinaryCannnaCo.™ infused pantry staple products.
Would you like to partner with The Culinary Cannabis Company? Send us a message, and let’s chat.
WANT TO HELP?
Ask your local Illinois Dispensary to carry CulinaryCannnaCo.™ infused pantry staple products.
Would you like to partner with The Culinary Cannabis Company? Send us a message, and let’s chat.
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