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PEPSI® Dig In Culinary Residency: Exclusive Dishes Return to Las Vegas

This year’s Restaurant Royalty Residency brings eight new limited-edition menu items to The Fan Districts at both Strip resorts, with dishes from the GRAMMY-Award winner’s Atlanta restaurant and bar, fan-favorite Cranky Granny’s, Taylor’s Tacos, Blk Swan, LoLo’s on The Water, and Bridgetown Roti

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PURCHASE, N.Y. /PRNewswire/ — PEPSI® Dig In, the brand’s platform designed to drive access, business growth, and awareness to Black-owned restaurants, returns with its Restaurant Royalty Residency program in Las Vegas on September 30 – giving restaurant goers a chance to discover every bite is Better With Pepsi and experience a new selection of exclusive dishes from Black-owned restaurants across the country. Following last year’s successful partnership with MGM Resorts International, Pepsi Dig In is bringing six new restaurants and their concepts to the company’s Fan Districts – popular go-to destinations for fans to rally before and after Allegiant Stadium events – at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino. For the first time, Esco Restaurant & Tapas from the multi-platinum, Grammy Award®-winning MC 2 Chainz will be featured alongside other renowned concepts.



In June, Pepsi Dig In rallied foodies to share and nominate their favorite Black-owned restaurant as Restaurant Royalty, to recognize the country’s best establishments. A spot in the MGM Resorts International residency was reserved for the winning chef and restaurateur to give them a moment in the spotlight at one of the country’s hottest culinary destinations. As the fan-voted top Restaurant Royal, Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls from Pflugerville, Texas will be joining Esco Restaurant & Tapas to kick off this year’s residency program.

Each of the six participating Restaurant Royals will have a limited-edition menu item available exclusively for a three or four-week period at Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay and Public House at Luxor. The residency will also feature two new cocktails: one inspired by 2 Chainz featuring STARRY® and another with Pepsi® Zero Sugar.

“No matter your background, building and running a restaurant is a constant grind but that’s what makes the rewards, like this residency, worth it. Opportunities for this kind of exposure in Vegas can be life changing for businesses. It’s great to see brands like Pepsi Dig In and MGM put the power of their platforms behind these talented Black entrepreneurs, and it’s a privilege to be among them,” said 2 Chainz.

This year’s Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty Residency at Mandalay Bay’s Libertine Social and Luxor’s Public House will begin on September 30 and run through February 6, featuring mouthwatering dishes from Black-owned eateries across the country that include:

  • Esco Restaurant & Tapas, Co-Founders 2 Chainz and Mychel “Snoop” Dillard (Atlanta, GA) – Sept. 30 to Oct. 27, 2023
    • With several locations across the country, this restaurant-by-day and lounge-by-night is known for its seafood and Southern dishes. Vegas foodies will get a taste of one of 2 Chainz’s favorites, the Blackened Salmon Alfredo Pasta, featuring Cajun-seasoned fish over classic alfredo. Fans can also enjoy 2 Chainz’s own cocktail creation throughout the residency.
  • Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls, Owner Sianni Dean (Pflugerville, TX) – Sept. 30 to Oct. 27, 2023
    • Voted the number one Black-owned restaurant by fans via Pepsi Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty contest initiative, Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls is serving its Churro Cinnamon Roll with a classic cream cheese glaze, chocolate and caramel drizzle. The dessert is finished with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a strawberry.
  • Taylor’s Tacos, Co-Owners Taylor and Maya Mason (Chicago, IL) – Oct. 28 to Nov. 24, 2023
    • Specializing in authentic street style tacos with soul, Taylor’s Tacos will be serving their Extra-Juicy Chicken Tacos with braised chicken thigh, secret salsa, cilantro, cheese, and lime in crisped corn tortillas.
  • Blk Swan, Executive Chef and Co-Owner Saon Brice (Baltimore, MD) – Nov. 25 to Dec. 15, 2023
    • Known for their uniquely crafted New American menu, Blk Swan will serve its top-selling seafood risotto with shrimp, scallops, Maryland jumbo lump crab, white wine and sambal, for a heated twist.
  • LoLo’s on The Water, Executive Chef Raymond Mohan and Co-Owner Leticia Skai Young (New York, NY) – Dec. 16, 2023 to Jan. 12, 2024
    • Inspired by island flavors, LoLo’s on The Water created a new dish exclusively for the residency. The Island BBQ Beef Shank Platter features BBQ beef shank with an achiote glaze, served with Johnny Cakes and honey-rum glazed plantains.
  • Bridgetown Roti, Chef and Owner Rashida Holmes (Los Angeles, CA) – Jan. 13 to Feb. 6, 2024
    • The James Beard Award finalist will bring one of the most popular vegan dishes from her Los Angeles Caribbean pop-up: Curry Channa Doubles – savory Trinidadian-bara bread with curry chickpeas, cucumber chutney, lime and tamarind sauce.

“Las Vegas provides a valuable culinary stage and unparalleled business opportunity for restaurateurs. In partnership with MGM Resorts International, the Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty Residency Program is putting Black-owned restaurants and chefs in front of foodies from around the world,” said Scott Finlow, CMO of PepsiCo Global Foodservice.

The residency, now in its sophomore year, ladders back to the larger Pepsi Dig In platform. Pepsi Dig In helps diners discover and visit Black-owned restaurants while providing resources, mentorship, and training to Black restaurateurs made possible by PepsiCo. The residency was created in alignment with MGM Resorts’ commitments to greater inclusion in building a diverse culture for employees, guests, community partners and stakeholders.

Tony Gladney, MGM Resorts International Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, added, “MGM Resorts continues to deepen our commitment to social impact by focusing on the intersection of culinary excellence and diverse representation. Together with Pepsi, we’re proving that delicious food can drive meaningful change, and we look forward to another year of extraordinary culinary experiences that celebrate diversity and spark meaningful conversations.”

For further information on Pepsi Dig In, fans can visit PepsiDigIn.com and follow @PepsiDigIn on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter for the latest updates.

About Pepsi Dig In
Pepsi Dig In is a platform designed to drive access, business growth, and awareness to Black-owned restaurants. Pepsi Dig In helps diners discover, dine at, or order from Black-owned restaurants while providing resources, mentorship, and training to Black restaurateurs. Utilizing the scale and reach of PepsiCo and its partners, Pepsi Dig In aims to create opportunities for Black-owned restaurants to thrive.

Launched in 2020 as part of PepsiCo’s Racial Equality Journey (REJ), the company committed $50 million to support Black-owned businesses over five years, part of PepsiCo’s larger REJ initiative totaling more than $400 million to increase representation within the company, support Black-owned businesses, and help to create economic opportunities in the communities it serves.

For more information, visit pepsidigin.com and follow @pepsidigin on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.

About PepsiCo 
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complimentary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on TwitterInstagramFacebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers sports betting and online gaming in North America through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary LeoVegas AB offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Facebook and Instagram. 

SOURCE PepsiCo Beverages North America

Beverages

International Delight Introduces Cold Foam: Elevate Your Coffee Experience at Home

Experience the premium coffee shop taste at home with International Delight’s Cold Foam, the innovative way to elevate your coffee creations.

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Hey coffee lovers and flavour enthusiasts! Get ready to elevate your coffee game at home with International Delight’s newest and first-to-market innovation, Cold Foam. This exciting launch brings the indulgent coffee shop experience right to your doorstep without breaking the bank.

On April 8, 2024, International Delight introduced Canadians to Cold Foam, a unique product that effortlessly elevates your coffee creations. It’s as easy as 1-2-3: shake it, foam it, and sip it! In just a few simple steps, you can transform any hot or cold coffee into a foaming delicious (yes, you read that right) coffee shop drink.

"Image: International Delight Cold Foam Can - Elevate your coffee experience at home with International Delight's new Cold Foam product."
International Delight Canada (CNW Group/Danone Canada)

International Delight listened to the desires of coffee lovers and delivered a game-changing product. With Cold Foam, they have revolutionized the at-home coffee experience, creating a multi-sensorial product that offers satisfying flavors and textures. Now, you can enjoy a premium coffee shop-style drink from the comfort of your own home.

Recognizing the rising popularity of cold foam in coffee shops and the growing number of consumers looking to recreate these specialty drinks at home, International Delight saw an opportunity. They took inspiration from social media, where coffee lovers seek unique creations, and developed their innovative Cold Foam product. Not only is it distinct to the brand, but it is also a first-of-its-kind offering on grocery shelves in Canada.

Indulgence is the name of the game with International Delight Cold Foam. Available in two fan-favorite flavors, French Vanilla and Caramel Macchiato, this coffee shop-style foam topper adds a creamy and foamy touch to your hot or cold coffee. Watch as it gradually mixes the creamer into your cup, creating a one-of-a-kind, indulgent experience. The best part? No frothers or extra tools needed! International Delight fans can enjoy their beloved foamy flavor hassle-free.

Starting in April 2024, you can find International Delight Cold Foam in major Canadian retailers nationwide. With just one can, you’ll enhance over 20 coffees and enjoy the delightful flavor at your fingertips. To celebrate, International Delight is running a pop-up sampling activation at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario, where you can grab free samples of cold brew coffee with Cold Foam from April 29th to May 5th, 2024.

Cold Foam is just the latest addition to International Delight’s commitment to delivering exciting coffee enhancing products that can’t be found anywhere else. So, coffee enthusiasts, get ready to sip, foam, and indulge with International Delight Cold Foam. Your at-home coffee experience will never be the same again!

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/it-s-foaming-delicious-international-delight-r-launches-first-to-market-innovation-in-canada-with-new-cold-foam-826651458.html

Visit www.InternationalDelight.ca and follow @internationaldelightca on Instagram and @internationaldelightca on TikTok to stay tuned on what’s next!

About International Delight Canada
International Delight® Canada has been transforming cups of coffee into moments that spark joy through one-of-a-kind, bold coffee enhancers and iced coffee flavours. By uniting people with smooth and rich flavours that add flavour to your cup and your life, International Delight Canada brings people together over a cup of coffee, creating opportunities for connection, inclusion and celebration. International Delight Canada coffee enhancers and iced coffees are available Canada-wide at major grocery retailers, convenience stores, and mass merchandisers across Canada. For more information, visit www.InternationalDelight.ca.

About Danone Canada
Danone Canada is a business unit of Danone and operates from head offices in Boucherville, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. Danone Canada is the country’s largest consumer-facing Certified B Corporation®, demonstrating that the company meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Danone Canada’s ambition is to produce healthful dairy, plant-based products, and coffee creamers and beverages, create economic and social value, and nurture natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Its portfolio of brands includes Activia®, Oikos®, DanActive®, Danone®, Silk® plant-based foods and beverages, So Delicious® Dairy Free, Stok®, International Delight®, evian® and more. For more information, connect with Danone Canada online at www.danone.ca, and on FacebookTwitter,  or LinkedIn.

1 Source: “Coffee and RTD Coffee, US 2021” Mintel, August 2021

SOURCE Danone Canada

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Food and Beverage

Blue Bunny Introduces Twist Pints: Adding a Twist of Flavor to the Frozen Aisle

Blue Bunny introduces Twist pints: a deliciously twisted combination of indulgent flavors swirled to perfection.

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Blue Bunny, the well-loved ice cream brand, is delighting taste buds across the nation with its latest creation – Twist pints! These frozen treats bring a whole new level of indulgence by combining two delicious flavors into one delectable pint, adorned with a heavenly ribbon of ooey-gooey goodness. With flavors like Chocolate Vanilla, Strawberries & Cream, Cookies & Cream, Candy Bar, Mint Chocolate, Blu’s Birthday Cake, and Cherry Chocolate, Blue Bunny is giving ice cream lovers a taste experience like never before.

Available now, Blue Bunny’s new Twisted Pints combine two indulgent flavors, expertly twisted to perfection.

Creating Dual-Flavored Bliss:
The success of Blue Bunny’s Twist Cones inspired the team at Blue Bunny to take the dual-flavored soft serve experience to new heights with Twist pints. Jeremy Hrynewycz, Brand Marketing Director at Blue Bunny, explains, “The overwhelmingly positive response to launching Twist Cones fueled our determination to create Twist pints. We carefully curated each twist to incorporate two flavors that consumers love, resulting in a DUAL-icious experience.” These unique pints are set to become the ultimate indulgent frozen treat of 2024.

More to Love, Pint by Pint:
While the Twist Cones were already a huge hit, Blue Bunny wanted to offer even more enjoyment to ice cream enthusiasts. Thus, Twist pints were born, featuring the same irresistible swirls of flavor in a conveniently pint-sized package. Whether you prefer to savor it solo after a long day or share it with loved ones, Blue Bunny ensures that Twist pints are perfect for any occasion.

Twisted Taste Tests and Great Wolf Lodge Partnership:
To celebrate the launch of Twist pints, Blue Bunny has joined forces with Great Wolf Lodge to create an experience like no other – the Twisted Taste Tests. At select locations throughout April, visitors will have the opportunity to try the luscious Twist pints right before embarking on the thrilling waterslides, combining the delights of flavor and adventure in one unforgettable event. For more information on how to get involved, visit [Website].

Where to Find Blue Bunny’s Twist Pints:
Blue Bunny wants to make sure that everyone has access to the delightful Twist pints. That’s why you can find them at retailers nationwide, including well-known stores like Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Albertson’s, Safeway, and Publix. Look out for that eye-catching Blue Bunny packaging!

About Blue Bunny:
For more than 80 years, Blue Bunny has been bringing joy to dessert lovers with their range of delicious dairy treats. Today, they offer over 75 varieties of frozen indulgence. Blue Bunny constantly innovates to bring playfully indulgent treats to freezers nationwide, and Twist pints are their latest creative masterpiece. You can find their beloved classics, such as Mini Swirls cones, signature Bunny Tracks scoopables, and award-winning Load’d Sundaes loaded to the max with mix-ins. Blue Bunny desserts can be found on shelves or served at various locations. For more information, visit Blue Bunny’s official website [Website].

About Wells Enterprises:
Wells Enterprises, Inc., the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States, has been delighting ice cream aficionados since 1913. As an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods, Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream annually. Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics are just a few of the iconic brands created by Wells. With nearly 4,000 ice cream enthusiasts on their team, Wells is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, famously known as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” due to its status as the largest location for ice cream production. Wells operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States, ensuring that quality and deliciousness are delivered with every bite. Learn more about Wells Enterprises at [Website].


Blue Bunny has once again captured the hearts and taste buds of ice cream lovers nationwide with the launch of their Twist pints. These unique frozen treats, expertly twisted to perfection, offer a wonderful blend of flavors adorned with mouthwatering ribbons of decadence. With the convenient pint size, it’s even easier to enjoy these DUAL-icious goodies alone or share them with loved ones. Keep an eye out for Blue Bunny’s Twist pints at your local retailer, and don’t forget to visit their website for more delightful frozen treats. Get ready to twist up your taste buds with Blue Bunny!

https://www.bluebunny.com/products/twist-cones

https://www.bluebunny.com

SOURCE Blue Bunny

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-blue-bunny-twist-pints-twist-two-fun-filled-flavors-into-one-dual-icious-bite-302109959.html

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recipes

Sweet Solutions to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

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(Family Features) From fajitas and tacos to everything in between, fueling your Cinco de Mayo fiesta starts with delicious food that brings everyone to the table. Traditional dishes and new twists on classics can be equally satisfying whether you’re feeding your nearest and dearest or hosting the entire neighborhood.

Start with these Vegan Apple and Black Bean Fajitas for a plant-forward spin on a popular dish that features sauteed apples, peppers, zucchini, jicama, onion and jalapeno. The craveable texture and crunch of Envy Apples – a leading apple variety available at Whole Foods and other major grocery stores – shine both in the mixture of sauteed produce and sliced raw into sticks for a crunchy finish with added sweetness. Plus, their flesh remains whiter longer, even after slicing, so this dish looks as good as it tastes.

For those seeking some added protein, turn to Crisp Apple Tacos featuring pork tenderloin topped with cabbage, apples, carrots and a honey-infused homemade dressing. Ideal for a crowd, you can split the sauteed tenderloin, sliced produce, dressing and other favorite toppings among serving bowls to let guests create their own Cinco-inspired masterpieces.

These moments among friends and family can be uplifted with the aroma and flavor of Envy Apples that offer an invitation to savor special occasions. Their balanced sweetness provides the ultimate apple experience from holidays and family gatherings to quiet evenings at home.

To find more recipes for family meals and beyond, visit EnvyApple.com.

Vegan Apple and Black Bean Fajitas

  • 1 bell pepper, sliced, seeds removed
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 small jicama, sliced
  • 3 Envy Apples, sliced
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced, seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic
  • 1teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 sprigs fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili pepper (optional)
  • salt, to taste (optional)
  • pepper, to taste (optional)
  • 1 cup cooked black beans
  • 1 lime
  • 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • 4 small flour tortillas
  1. In skillet over high heat, saute bell pepper, zucchini, jicama and half the apple slices. Set aside.
  2. In same hot skillet, saute onions, jalapenos and garlic until lightly caramelized. Combine with sauteed apple mixture. Season with cumin and oregano. Add chili powder and salt and pepper, to taste, if desired.
  3. Add cooked black beans to saute mixture. Top with squeeze of lime. Garnish with cilantro and remaining raw apple slices.
  4. Serve with tortillas.

Crisp Apple Tacos

  • 1/2 pound pork tenderloin
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided
  • 2 Envy Apples, divided
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 12 soft taco shells
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  1. Cut pork crosswise into 1-inch medallions.
  2. Coat pork medallions with olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper then add to saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Slice half of one apple into thick wedges and add to saucepan. Slice remaining half into thin wedges and set aside.
  4. Add rosemary to saucepan and heat 2-3 minutes. Flip pork and heat 2-3 minutes until pork is slightly golden and cooked through.
  5. Let pork rest 3 minutes then slice into strips.
  6. Thinly slice half of remaining apple into thin sticks around same size of shredded cabbage. Reserve remaining half.
  7. In serving bowl, toss apple sticks, carrots, red cabbage and green cabbage.
  8. In bowl, mix honey, mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar into dressing. Add additional salt and pepper, to taste.
  9. Mix dressing and cabbage; refrigerate at least 1 hour prior to serving.
  10. Cut remaining apple half into thin wedges.
  11. Top taco shells with pork, slaw, sour cream and squeeze of lime juice. Top with apple wedges.


SOURCE:
Envy Apples

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