Chef Ra

Biography:

• Born in Charleston, West Virginia.
• Moved to Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area during high school.
• First Black student elected Senior Class President at Urbana High.
• Banned from football team due to association with Steven Hager.
• Hired by Steven Hager to write for High Times.

Writings:

• Column ‘Chef Ras Psychedelic Kitchen’ in High Times for 15 years.
• Articles combined insights on life with new ganja recipes.
• Reported on travels to cannabis culture events.
• Presence in High Times off and on for 15 years.
• Articles weaved insights with ganja recipes.

Filmography:

• Starred in videos produced by High Times.
• Videos include ‘Chef Ra Escapes Babylon’ (1989) and ‘Ganja Gourmet’ (2003).
• ‘Chef Ra Escapes Babylon’ featured Ras visit to Jamaica.
• Featured in short film ‘Bumbaclots in Negril’ (1999).
• ‘Chef Ra Escapes Babylon’ had rare public screening at 1998 Freaky Film Festival.

Death:

• Passed away on December 26, 2006.
• Cause of death was complications from cardiovascular disease.
• Died at the age of 56.

Further Reading:

• Article by Paul Wood titled ‘Local Man’s Recipes Give New Meaning to Potluck’.
• Interview by Kyle Gorman titled ‘High Times and Reggae Music with Chef Ra’.
• Article by Paul Wood titled ‘Chef Ra Enjoyed the High Life’.
• Press release from Michigan NORML on 36th Annual Ann Arbor Hash Bash.
• Article by Jason Pankoke titled ‘Chef Ra, 1950-2006’.

Chef Ra Data Sources