Redefining what it means to be a chef, artist, cannabis food pioneer and food content creator, Chef Derek Upton has paved a path of his own. Starting his journey as a professional drummer, traveling, and playing all over, Derek always had a deep love and passion for food. At the age of 25, feeling that the music journey was coming to an end, he jumped headfirst into his cooking career. With a childhood of cooking memories, years of self-taught talent, a heart full of passion and a foundation of culinary school, Derek was ready for this new chapter.
Now years later as a California transplant in Arizona, Chef Derek has worked for some of the best culinary names in phoenix and has created a name for himself. Alongside working in PHX known kitchens like EVO, Café Monarch and the James Beard Semifinalist The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, he has cooked for David Spade, Kelis, Michael Rappaport and many others. Being featured on the city’s top morning news shows, in the top food magazines, countless food blogs and radio, he has gained national attention.
As a pioneer of the cannabis food movement and owner of the acclaimed company Elevations (behind the first cannabis hotel , The Clarendon))Chef Derek took the opportunity to be a featured chef on the Netflix original cooking show “Cooked with Cannabis” released April 20th, 2020, and most recently Food Network Chopped 420 on Discovery Plus. These features have led to numerous amazing friendships, business opportunities and sponsorships from Chef Works, Stargazer Cast Iron, and many others. Chef Derek is a force to be reckoned with and sees no end in sight, he is always working on new ideas and always looking to the future.
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