Vegan Meals Information of the Week: Cher's Gelato, DoubleTree's Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Extra

Evidently each week on the planet of vegan meals information is extra thrilling than the final and this week is not any exception. There’s a giant honking meatless bulgogi sandwich at Ike’s Sandwiches (and its meaty filling is eerily much like that bulgogi we will’t cease eager about at Dealer Joe’s). DoubleTree Lodge by Hilton is holding its 50-year-old custom of cookies at check-in alive and nicely with a brand new possibility for vegan company. And Cher simply launched a gelato truck with a jaw-dropping vegan possibility that may make you imagine in life after love. 

1Vegan bulgogi sandwiches at Ike’s

Should you’re something like us, each single journey to Dealer Joe’s begins with a fast test on vegan bulgogi shares within the freezer aisle—and possibly selecting up a field or 5 to replenish your individual provides. Now, that meaty goodness is out there in a brand new format: a giant ol’ meatless bulgogi sandwich at California chain Ike’s Sandwiches, which operates 100 areas. 

Ike’s Sandwiches

Referred to as the “Floryn,” it options Nasoya’s PlantspiredPlant-Primarily based Steak, which comes seasoned with genuine Korean BBQ taste and char-grilled to make sure an optimum style and texture. 

The sandwich additionally contains purple slaw and pickle havarti, together with Ike’s distinctive Asian BBQ sauce, delivering a concord of candy, spicy, and smoky flavors. The connoisseur Floryn ($21)—which may be personalized to be absolutely vegan with dairy-free cheeses and sauces—is out there solely for Ike’s Rewards Members and for a restricted time solely. 

“Typically I’m a vegetarian, and I’ve plenty of mates who’re vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian,” proprietor Ike Shehadeh mentioned in an announcement. “I present my love for them by creating plant-based sandwiches which can be superb and filling.”

“Floryn is essentially the most ultra-premium plant-based sandwich I’ve ever made,” Shehadeh mentioned. “The Plantspired Plant-Primarily based Steak we use for the vegan bulgogi is one thing meat lovers and vegans will each love.”

Since Dealer Joe’s non-public labels objects, there isn’t any actual solution to actually pin down which firm produces its vegan bulgogi—however if you happen to ask us, Plantspired’s steak tastes strikingly much like TJ’s. 

2Stacked Past Burgers

Plant-based meat firm Past Meat is increasing its product vary with the debut of the Past Stack Burger—its reply to smash-style burgers, which have grown in recognition on menus by 720 p.c within the final 4 years. 

Now accessible at choose Kroger shops nationwide, this progressive burger—a companion to the foodservice model, Past Smashable Burgers, the corporate not too long ago launched—is designed to supply a style and texture even nearer to beef.

Past Meat

Early evaluations laud its succulent style, distinctive crumble, and crisp exterior, that efficiently mimic the attraction of conventional beef burgers. 

“The brand new Past Stack Burger displays our dedication to relentlessly innovate till our merchandise are indistinguishable from animal meat in style, texture, and taste whereas being extra nutritious and sustainable,” Dr. Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer at Past Meat, mentioned in an announcement. 

“We’re thrilled to develop our retail product portfolio with this newest providing which builds upon the current launches of the latest iteration of Past Sausage and our groundbreaking, heart-healthy Past Steak,” Ajami mentioned.

In tandem with the launch of the brand new burger, Past Meat additionally invitations customers on a journey of transparency with its “There’s Goodness Right here” marketing campaign. The multi-pronged marketing campaign goals to have fun and demystify the method behind the creation of the corporate’s plant-based meats. 

The marketing campaign begins with its American Coronary heart Affiliation-approved Past Steak, made out of fava beans sourced from eco-friendly farmers in Munich, ND and punctiliously created with different sustainable proteins utilizing non-GMO substances like peas, rice, and wheat.

3Pork-free bratwurst is greatest

TiNDLE Meals simply rebranded from its Subsequent Gen Meals identify and is engaged on some thrilling launches below its new moniker that develop upon its vegan hen merchandise.

This broadened TiNDLE Meals platform will facilitate the event, manufacturing, and gross sales of its present TiNDLE Rooster product line in addition to novel plant-based meals that now embody different meat options similar to plant-based sausages in Bratwurst, Italian, and savory breakfast varieties. 

Tindle Meals

Leveraging the current acquisition of vegan dairy startup Mwah!, the corporate additionally goals to boost its R&D capabilities and experience in dairy-free product improvement, resulting in the rollout of a wide range of new plant-based milks and the extension of its gelato line. 

John Seegers, the CTO, and his group with substantial expertise in plant protein and product improvement, will play a pivotal function in diversifying the product vary past hen. 

“The brand new TiNDLE Meals marks a major milestone in our journey in offering ridiculously good meals experiences that may assist speed up the transition to a extra sustainable meals system,” Andre Menezes, CEO and Co-Founding father of TiNDLE Meals, mentioned in an announcement. 

TiNDLE Meals, named after Nineteenth-century Irish physicist John Tyndall, has a mission to reduce our dependence on animal agriculture and make planet-saving efforts pleasurable and engaging. The corporate has raised $130 million in funding and efficiently expanded its plant-based hen merchandise to hundreds of eateries and grocery shops globally.

“As we develop into new product classes and improve our capability to make the best-tasting meat and dairy merchandise—a number of the most beloved meals in our society—we’re now capable of get nearer and nearer to discovering viable and scrumptious options to assist save our planet.”

4DoubleTree’s vegan chocolate chip cookies

This week, checking into the DoubleTree Lodge received even sweeter for vegans and the 32 million individuals in the US with meals allergic reactions. That’s as a result of the Hilton-owned chain simply partnered with vegan cookie model Partake to proceed its 50-year-old custom of giving out cookies to company at check-in. 

DoubleTree by Hilton

“We wish each visitor to really feel at residence after they enter the doorways of a DoubleTree by Hilton, and we acknowledge that touring with meals allergic reactions, sensitivities, or restrictions may be difficult,” Shawn McAteer, international model chief, DoubleTree by Hilton, tells VegNews. “This new allergy-friendly chocolate chip cookie will not be solely vegan but additionally freed from the highest 9 allergens, permitting us to increase DoubleTree’s signature hospitality to much more vacationers.” 

Now, everybody can partake on this little little bit of hospitality, with a vegan chocolate chip cookie that’s all about inclusion and comes individually wrapped to keep away from cross-contamination.

“We hope that introducing this new cookie, alongside our unique cookie, underscores the nice and cozy welcome that has develop into a trademark of the model and reaffirms our dedication to fostering hospitality for each visitor, each go to,” McAteer says. 

DoubleTree by Hilton

Entrepreneur Denise Woodward based Partake to ensure her younger daughter, who has a number of meals allergic reactions, might take pleasure in candy treats. “As a guardian of a kid with meals allergic reactions, I do know firsthand how restricted choices are for these with allergic reactions and dietary restrictions when touring—everybody deserves to have a way of assurance and luxury when they’re away from residence,” Woodward tells VegNews. 

“We’re proud to increase Partake’s mission of inclusivity to DoubleTree by Hilton resorts throughout the US, and are thrilled to work with such an iconic model to create a extra inclusive welcome for his or her company at check-in,” she says.

Outdoors of DoubleTree, Partake affords a wide range of vegan cookies and treats, accessible at retailers nationwide, together with Dealer Joe’s, Goal, and extra. 

5Cher’s new gelato truck

We all the time like a great portmanteau however didn’t have “Cherlato” on our 2023 bingo card. What does combining Cher and gelato truly imply? It’s the identify of a brand new gelato truck roaming Los Angeles, a collaboration 5 years within the making between New Zealand ice cream firm Giapo and the 77-year-old musical artist.  

And if you happen to want a vegan taste, she’s received you, babe.  

Cherlato

The choice is known as “LA, I Love You” and is a love letter to the town that contains a base made with flax milk (from native firm Malibu Mylk) that’s folded with vegan white chocolate chips and pluots (one other portmanteau of plums and apricots). 

And if this taste—the one one within the line-up that’s free from the highest 9 allergens—doesn’t pique your curiosity, the entire thing is served below an edible cloud.