CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZENB, an
expanding direct-to-consumer brand reimagining plant-based meal and
snack options for the modern consumer, has teamed up with culinary
personality, Hunter Fieri, to
celebrate the goodness of nature as host of the new WHAT PLANTS
CAN DO short-form documentary – a debut solo project for the
rising young chef.
Fieri, the self-proclaimed "Prince of Flavortown" making a name
for himself in the culinary world, is host of the mini-documentary
designed to raise awareness of the value of plant-fueled foods and
deepen appreciation for all that nature provides, showcased through
ZENB's whole-plant approach for its popular pasta made entirely
from whole yellow peas. Fieri takes viewers on a farm-to-table
journey as he learns more about the role legumes like yellow peas
play in modern cuisine. From the farm, where he gets a
farmer's perspective while harvesting at one of the brand's
North Dakota-based yellow pea
farms; to the kitchen, where he talks with nutritionists
about the health benefits of plant-based foods; to the
table, where Fieri and ZENB showcase delectable and accessible
dishes shared with friends. WHAT PLANTS CAN DO is now
available and can be viewed at
www.ZENB.com/peastory.
"While many know me and my family for experimenting with crazy
and indulgent foods, I'm also all about enjoying plant-based swaps
that can still be just as out-of-this-world crave-worthy,"
said Fieri. "However, beyond the great taste of the final dish,
I've come to appreciate the important role plant-based foods play
as they impact our bodies and the environment. I'm thrilled to
collaborate with a brand that recognizes the power of living a
balanced life and shares my belief in delivering delicious
foods."
ZENB is focused on making a positive impact on the environment
while providing maximum benefit to our bodies, all while supporting
the agricultural community through investment in yellow pea crops
and farmers. Yellow peas require less water to grow than grains
like wheat and give back nutrients like amino acids to the soil,
resulting in a more sustainable crop with a lower carbon footprint
that is the single ingredient in ZENB's pasta. Using nearly 2,400
metric tons of yellow peas for products each year from nearly a
dozen farmers, ZENB continues to identify new product innovations
that embrace the power of the pea while supporting American
farmers.
In WHAT PLANTS CAN DO, Fieri guides the audience in an
understanding of how the planet provides everything needed to
nourish and sustain the population, while bringing focus to the
need for an evolving awareness of food. At Thomas Grain Farms in
Karlsruhe, N.D., where many of the
yellow peas used in ZENB products are grown, Fieri meets owner and
farmer, Paul Thomas, to discuss the
agricultural insights that lead to plant-based foods. Together,
they go behind-the-scenes through the yellow pea fields and farming
process, revealing how yellow peas improve soil conditions and
contribute to a better future. Back in the kitchen, Fieri gathers
with James Marin, RD, EN, and
Dahlia Marin, RDN, LN, co-founders
of Married to Health, an integrative dietetic practice, for a
conversation around the health benefits of yellow peas as a rich
source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
"At ZENB, we're passionately committed to providing a new way of
thinking about what plants can do – for our palettes, our
lifestyles, and the world we live in," said Hugo Pérez, ZENB
vice president of marketing. "We felt it was important to tell our
story and impact more broadly and provide consumers with the
first-hand knowledge and resources to enjoy delicious food with
whole ingredients, while also preserving the planet and promoting
food waste reduction."
WHAT PLANTS CAN DO is written and directed by Pérez on
behalf of ZENB, in collaboration with producers Angelo Restaino (KNIGHT TO D7, PROJECT H) and
Ryan Cheevers (GRANDE DRIP, SO,
HOW'D YOU GET HERE?) with Paper Crane Productions. Robin Pabello (YOU AGAIN, LEGION) and
Anton Seim (DRINK, MORE THAN IT IS)
serve as directors of photography.
The partnership with Fieri comes into play as the brand launches
an expansion of its gluten-free Gourmet Sauce line. Added into the
plant-fueled sauce portfolio – alongside ZENB Pastas made from 100%
yellow peas – are ZENB Roasted Red Bell Pepper and
ZENB Creamy Mushroom, bringing new hero vegetables
into the brand's sauce selection. The new, chef-inspired and
delicious slow-cooked flavors join existing ZENB Roasted Tomato and
ZENB Sweet Carrot & Tomato. ZENB Pasta and Gourmet Sauces are
available exclusively on ZENB.com.
With exciting product innovations and happenings on the horizon
for 2022, ZENB was excited to tap Fieri to be part of this
impactful partnership launch, as the brand brings new ways for
consumers to enjoy plant-based food while inviting them to taste
what plants can do.
About ZENB
ZENB is a direct-to-consumer food brand on
a mission to make plant-based foods more delicious, accessible and
convenient. Using parts of legumes and vegetables that are often
thrown away (skin, seeds, stems and all), ZENB products open a
whole new world of flavor and nutrition. A global brand with vast
presence in Japan and the U.K.,
ZENB debuted in the U.S. market in 2019 with domestic headquarters
in Chicago. Committed to making
plant-based products the center of everyday lives, the brand
launched a single-ingredient pasta made from yellow peas in
November 2020 and a growing portfolio
of gourmet sauces that deliver 1-cup of veggies per serving, with
aggressive plans to continue growing its meal and snack portfolios.
ZENB aspires to improve sustainability and the global environment
by thoughtfully selecting ingredients that reinforce this
commitment, including its ZENB Pasta made from 100% yellow
peas, which has a lower carbon footprint and uses less water and
fertilizer to grow than the durum wheat used to make traditional
pasta. For more information about ZENB and to join the community,
visit ZENB.com or follow along on Instagram, Facebook,
Pinterest, and Twitter.
About Hunter
Fieri
Hunter Fieri is
a culinary personality, chef, producer and co-host, best known for
his roles in Food Network's DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIVES, TOURNAMENT
OF CHAMPIONS and GUY'S GROCERY GAMES. A rising television star and
training chef, Fieri's knowledge of cuisine and appreciation for
elevated food experience has been part of his fiber for as long as
he can remember. He majored in Hospitality Management at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as he
prepared to enter the culinary industry alongside his father,
Guy Fieri. He currently resides in
Santa Rosa, CA.
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