As a serial entrepreneur and visionary, Burkard has streamlined many business ventures that align with current and future market positioning. Burkard has spearheaded company design and development, is rapidly expanding the hospitality and nightlife destinations, and leads capital and product development for multiple strategic partnerships.
Burkard worked at Park Avenue Finance, where he was responsible for multiple capital transactions involving international structuring and top-tier bank financing, while simultaneously driving the financial product innovations that cemented Park Avenue Finance as a leader in strategic solutions domestically and internationally.
Burkard is the Founder and CEO of LastLeaf. LastLeaf is approaching edibles differently: savory flavors and micro-dosing. They work with top-rated, creative chefs including Celebrity Chef, Todd English to provide culinary products for the American at-home chef. “Cooking, just like cannabis, can be adventurous and fun, but we deeply believe in the healing powers of food and the cannabis plant, individually and together. Now we get to share the best of both worlds with you.”
FMM: You are a well-known disruptor. Tell us about your background and what led you to launch LastLeaf.
As a serial entrepreneur at heart, I have a passion for designing, delivering and creating the next generation of innovative businesses by leading and inspiring others to take the risk. My background has been forged with hands-on experience and international exposure, which is most important for all entrepreneurs to experience. With a full-suite background in finance, design and economics, I am wired to think outside the box. LastLeaf was initially designed in 2018 to be a micro-trading platform for any and all cannabis companies to list shares on the wire in real-time, but the timing and market regulations presented obstacles that were expensive and risky to overcome. I did significant development but the main goal was to be the go-to anchor for everything cannabis related. From there, I pivoted the business to focus on an underserved/absent market in the primary food group of edibles so we could still reach and co-lab with all brands at the end of the day. I am so proud that we are here in 2022 – licensed and making waves!
FMM: LastLeaf gourmet infused cuisine is described as savory, vibrant, with deliciously balanced flavors. How is LastLeaf providing at-home Chefs with creative freedom for their edible consumption?
At LastLeaf, we are providing at-home chefs with cooking tips from our celebrity chef roster. Our virtual-cooking sessions allow participants to improve and expand their culinary skill sets. Each LastLeaf Chef we have partnered with is known for a specific cuisine. Their meticulously crafted collection of infused culinary products is a reflection of their focused-cuisine and represents the dining experiences they have been creating for years. We are focused on education and transparency in cooking with cannabis to tailor to each consumer’s needs. In my opinion, this is a void in the marketplace that needs to be addressed and that is what we are doing at LastLeaf.
FMM: You have Launched a product line with Celebrity Chef Todd English. What does this mean for your brand?
Celebrity Chef Todd English is the first of many chefs to come on board and have their own product line. One of our goals is to align with a multitude of master chefs in creating a line of products that they hold a passion for whether it is Italian cuisine or BBQ, we want to have products that serve everyone’s taste buds (no pun intended). I believe this will ultimately propel us in a multi-dimensional hold on the market. The cannabis industry is just in the earlier stages, we are here for the long game, and excited to continue to evolve and meet the needs of our customers.
FMM: Let’s dive into the Classic Macaroni Cheese. What makes it a perfect addition for the holidays?
With winter coming, who doesn’t want to indulge in their favorite comfort food?!?! Our Classic Mac & Cheese is perfect for a Friendsgiving or an afternoon tailgate. What I really love about our products is that we share recipe tutorials, so you have the flexibility to design some fun dishes with friends and family. On our website you can find recipe tutorials from Mac & Cheese Tacos to Tri-Colored Cauliflower White Cheddar. Delicious!
FMM: How are you giving cannabis cuisine a makeover?
The cannabis industry is currently in its infancy stage when looking at the macro landscape in the domestic market. As we have seen over the past 10 years the business and cycles are evolving at a rapid pace. As in any business/industry, there will be successes and failures in any new endeavor as timing plays a critical role. At LastLeaf we have led the charge on the culinary and primary food group front, as we believe accessories and pairings to everyday healthy foods is the future. We have a great team and strong vision and are excited to introduce new products to the cannabis market.
FMM: Your mission has been to manufacture culinary products using premium ingredients to produce top-tier flavor with consistent quality harnessing an amplified experience for consumers. What can we expect to see in the upcoming months?
In the upcoming months, we plan on launching a line of rich and organically sourced olive oils that we have done substantial research and development on with terpene taste profiles. This product will pair well with virtually any item in the kitchen providing flexibility and creativity in the kitchen.
