Meet Tarik Sparks

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

Hi Tarik, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
The end goal is simple: I want to travel the world with my wife and daughter, fully paid for, teaching people how to connect deeper to food, cannabis, and culture. I want to show folks that cannabis isn’t just about getting high — it’s medicine, it’s memory, it’s ritual. Same with food. Same with photography.

I want to build spaces where people can feel seen, nourished, and inspired — whether that’s through an infused plate of pasta, a portrait that tells a whole story in one frame, or a class that helps someone finally understand how to dose edibles that actually work.

By the end of my career, I want to be known worldwide as the chef-photographer-educator who helped shift how people use cannabis in their everyday lives. And I want to leave behind a legacy my daughter can stand on. Not just a business — a body of work that honors our people, our power, and our presence.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a culinary artist, cannabis educator, and photographer—but more than that, I’m someone who’s been creating across food, culture, and image for over a decade. My art is rooted in experience. I’ve cooked in kitchens across Florida, photographed food for over 100 restaurants, and studied cannabis not just as a plant, but as a tool for healing, storytelling, and legacy.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just cook food—I capture it. I don’t just teach cannabis—I live it. My work lives at the intersection of real life, art, and education. I built The Hidden Creation as a space where all of that collides. A movement, not just a brand.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I’ve worked long shifts, launched ideas with no budget, and had to keep rebuilding through burnout and doubt. But I kept going because I believe in what I’m building. I believe people deserve access to better information about cannabis. I believe food can hold memory. And I believe culture deserves better representation than gimmicks.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the best work comes from being honest—even if it’s not polished. Even if it’s not mainstream. I’m proud of what The Hidden Creation is becoming, and I want the world to know that cannabis cuisine can be intentional, beautiful, and deeply rooted in culture.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I wanted to show my best friend the full Miami experience, we’d start with brunch at Zuma—still one of my favorite spots. That’s where a lot shifted for me, seeing what high-end cuisine could feel like. If we’re already in Brickell, we’d hit a rooftop pool party after. Just vibe out, reset, and take in the view.

Later we’d slide over to Strawberry Moon or cruise down Ocean Drive for a little energy and people-watching. At some point, we’d check out a dispensary—or save that for later, depending on the vibe—and try something fresh from the Florida scene.

Dinner? Komodo. Easy. Then we’d head upstairs to the lounge before jumping into the Wynwood nightlife. Now if we want a place that actually feels like us, we’re going to Mangrove. That’s where the culture’s alive—where being Black is not just cool, but welcomed.

Another night we’d hit Red Rooster Overtown—food, music, and real roots. Then maybe close it all out at Better Days for a chill dive bar vibe, followed by Club E11even… because why not. And if the energy’s still flowing, we’d end the night at Club Space and catch the sunrise.

Final stop? Yes Café in the morning for breakfast and a full-circle Miami moment.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to shout out my wife—she’s been building The Hidden Creation with me from the beginning. From helping write the cookbook to holding it down when things got tough, she’s part of the foundation of all of this.

I also want to name my daughter—not because she’s my “why,” but because she reminds me of the reality. Life’s going to be hard sometimes. And I want to give her the best shot I can—not just through money or stability, but by showing her what it looks like to keep going. To build something even when it doesn’t look how people think it should. To follow your dreams and still live a life you believe in.

And of course, shoutout to every chef, photographer, and mentor who cracked a door open for me. Every person who saw the vision when it was still forming. And to the ancestors—who passed down flavor, intuition, and the fire to keep creating.

Website: https://www.thehiddencreation.com/

Instagram: thehiddenvisuals

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarik-sparks-0851ba170

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehiddencreation

Image Credits
Myself – Tarik Sparks
My wife – Annmarie Sparks