Restaurant Royalty Residency at MGM Resorts
International's Fan District will feature cuisine from
award-winning Chef JJ Johnson of FIELDTRIP, Bun B's renowned Trill
Burgers, and dishes from Slim and Husky's, FoodChasers' Kitchen,
and Trap Kitchen
PURCHASE, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- Pepsi Dig In, a purpose-driven platform designed to
drive access, business acceleration and awareness for Black-owned
restaurants, announces its first ever Restaurant Royalty Residency
program bringing signature dishes from Black-owned restaurants
across the United States to one of
the country's largest culinary destinations: Las Vegas. The program aims to celebrate
Black-owned restaurants and drive national awareness to the next
generation of Black restaurant industry leaders.
Following the launch of the Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty
initiative in May, which encouraged consumers to share and nominate
their favorite Black-owned restaurants, chefs from some of the
most-beloved restaurants will each preside over a four-week
residency at Luxor's Public House
and Mandalay Bay's Libertine Social to curate limited-edition menu
items. The collaboration between Pepsi Dig In and MGM Resorts
International was fostered by a shared commitment to build an
inclusive and diverse culture for employees, guests, community
partners and stakeholders.
To kickoff, Pepsi Dig In ambassador and James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson of
New York City's FIELDTRIP will
bring his signature Braised Oxtails with jollof rice to Vegas,
inspired by his popular made-to-order rice bowl concept informed by
the Caribbean flavors of his
upbringing. Available starting October
9th, fans have until November
5th to try Chef JJ's custom creation along with specialty
cocktails by MGM Resorts. On November
6th, Chef JJ will turn the kitchen over to renowned rapper
and entrepreneur, Bun B of Houston-based restaurant Trill Burgers,
followed by Slim & Husky's, FoodChasers' Kitchen, and Trap
Kitchen.
"It's an honor to usher in Pepsi Dig In's Restaurant Royalty
Residency and continue to support a platform that's dedicated
to increasing visibility of the Black culinary community," said
Chef JJ Johnson. "Black restaurateurs and chefs often don't have
access to opportunities to help grow their businesses and move the
needle forward. That's why I'm passionate about supporting Pepsi
Dig In and programs like this MGM residency."
The Restaurant Royalty Residency featured at Mandalay Bay's
Libertine Social and Luxor's
Public House will showcase culinary gems from across the country
including:
- FIELDTRIP (New York,
NY), Chef and Founder JJ Johnson – Oct. 9 to Nov.5, 2022
-
- A fast-casual dining experience that celebrates culture through
the shared experience of rice, bringing hand cut braised oxtails in
a cinnamon scented broth with jollof rice, 5-hour cooked black
beans, "Not Your Mama's" collard greens, and more
- Trill Burgers (Houston,
TX), Founder Bun B – Nov. 6 to Dec.
3, 2022
-
- This pop-up concept received national acclaim, and even longer
lines, for one of the "Best Burgers in the United States." Now Vegas fans can try the
Trill House Burger, inspired by the creators of the OG Trill
Burger, a special ground blend made from high-quality steak cuts
fans can only get at MGM
- Slim and Husky's (Nashville,
TN), Co-Founders Clint Gray, Derrick
Moore, and EJ Reed – Dec. 4 to Dec.
31, 2022
-
- A fast casual, artisan pizza shop with a love for hip hop,
R&B and art – and a memorable dessert – serving the Cinnamon
Roll Duo: Sticky Fingaz with a whiskey sauce & Cookie Monster
with peanut butter, white chocolate chips and cookie pieces
- FoodChasers' Kitchen (Elkins
Park, PA), Owners and Chefs, Maya
and Kala Johnstone – Jan. 1 to Jan.
28, 2023
-
- A modern twist on traditional, homemade Southern cuisine,
serving some of the best Shrimp and Grits around with their own
secret spin on the classic dish that was created following their
travels across the South
- Trap Kitchen (Los Angeles,
CA), Owners and Chefs Malachi "Spank" Jenkins, Roberto
"News" Smith and Eddie "Mikey"
Bynum – Jan. 29 to Feb. 25, 2023
-
- The ultimate underground soul food experience, bringing their
one-of-a-kind Trap Kitchen Pineapple Bowl served in half of a
pineapple filled with steak, shrimp, jasmine rice, and unique house
made sauces for added flavor
The residency ladders back to the larger Pepsi Dig In program,
now in its sophomore year. The program is designed to cast a
spotlight on the unique barriers Black restaurateurs face and help
them scale their businesses by providing access to a variety of
resources, mentorship and training made possible by PepsiCo.
"The intense consumer passion in response to our Restaurant
Royalty nomination program is the type of groundswell action that
Pepsi Dig In was created to ignite for Black-owned businesses,"
said Scott Finlow, CMO of PepsiCo Global Foodservice. "Bringing in
partners, like the world-renowned MGM Resorts, is how we leverage
our platform to amplify these fan-favorite establishments.
Las Vegas is a city for revelers
and foodies alike and serves as the perfect stage to spotlight
talented Black restaurateurs and chefs, highlight their food, and
grow their audiences."
Fans are encouraged to visit Mandalay Bay and Luxor hotels in Las
Vegas through February to take part in Pepsi Dig In's
exclusive dining experience. Individuals can continue to nominate
their favorite Black-owned restaurants for a chance to win
$1,000[1].
"MGM Resorts is committed to creating pathways that amplify the
voices of African Americans and other diverse groups in our
community and around the world," said MGM Resorts Vice President of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tony
Gladney. "The Pepsi Dig In initiative combined with our
company's renowned culinary program provides the ideal platform to
continue leading with a purpose. By creating exceptional guest
experiences with this initiative we also provide opportunity for
talented Black-owned restaurants to shine on a worldwide stage. We
can't wait to welcome the chef teams to our MGM family and for
Las Vegas fans and foodies to get
a taste of their creativity and passion."
To continue celebrating Black-owned restaurants across the
country, Pepsi Dig In Day will return on Saturday, November 5th as a call-to-action
encouraging consumers to patronize and show their support for
Black-owned restaurants. Fans can also continue to nominate
Black-owned restaurants for the Restaurant Royalty program to
unlock access to visibility and awareness driving opportunities
throughout the year.
For further information on Pepsi Dig In, please visit the
website at PepsiDigIn.com and follow @PepsiDigIn on Instagram,
Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
About Pepsi Dig In
Pepsi Dig In is the brand's multi-faceted platform designed to
drive access, business acceleration, and awareness to Black-owned
restaurants including millions in grants and resources. Launched in
2020, PepsiCo dedicated $50 million
to support Black-owned businesses over five years, and is a part of
its larger commitment of over $400
million towards advancing racial equality within the
company, industry and communities it serves. To date, Pepsi Dig In
has driven:
- Access, through a $10 million
grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to the National Urban League to
co-create the Black Restaurant Accelerator program, which provides
funding, mentoring and management training to 500 Black restaurant
owners in 12 cities over a five-year period.
- Business acceleration, by launching Black Restaurants
Delivered, a pro bono digital and delivery consulting program that
is helping restaurant owners adapt to the new consumer
landscape.
- Consumer awareness, with the Restaurant Royalty program
encouraging consumers to nominate and share their favorite
Black-Owned restaurants to unlock access to unique opportunities,
and National Dig In Day, an annual initiative driving consumers to
visit these establishments.
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 $79
billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary
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 PepsiCo Positive
(pep+). 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 planet and people. For more
information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter,
Instagram, Facebook, 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 33 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 U.S.
sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands,
including BetMGM and partypoker. 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
Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
1 NO PURCHASE
NECESSARY. U.S. res of 50 US/DC, 21+ Multiple entry periods.
Ends 12/31/22. Rules.
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