First U.S. Aquarium To Offer Wicked Kitchen’s “Industry-Leading” Expansive 100 Percent Animal-Free Offerings
The popularity of plant-based foods is being taken to new “depths” at Café Scuba at Long Beach’s renowned Aquarium of the Pacific.
The Aquarium of the Pacific has expanded its menu and is now the first aquarium in the U.S. to feature a 100 percent plant-based “menu within a menu” from Wicked Kitchen, a flavor-forward global plant-based food brand.
Through a partnership with SAVOR, the culinary division of ASM Global and the in-house caterer at the aquarium, a complete animal-free dedicated menu section from Wicked Kitchen will now be available as a daily option for aquarium Café Scuba guests.
Featured items include:
- Crab Cake Po Boy Sub – Plant-based crab cakes, hoagie roll, Wicked Sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles with chips
- Crab Cake Salad – Plant-based crab cakes on a bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots with Wicked Dressing
- Teriyaki Salmon Burger – Plant-based salmon patty, teriyaki glaze, pineapple, lettuce and tomato on oat roll with chips
- Wicked Jalapeño Burger – Plant-based jalapeño-infused patty, lettuce and tomato with Wicked Sauce on an oat roll with chips
- Italian Meatball Sub – Italian-seasoned plant-based meatballs stewed in a house marinara with vegan mozzarella cheese on a pretzel roll
- Chorizo Bratwurst Sandwich – Plant-based chorizo sausage, grilled onions and peppers with Wicked Sauce on pretzel roll with chips
- Wicked Nachos – Tortilla chips, plant-based burger, chopped tomato, onions, jalapeños, and Wicked Vegan Taco Sauce
“Our approach is to create culinary-forward foods with broad appeal for all to enjoy,” said Pete Speranza, CEO, Wicked Kitchen. “We push the boundaries of traditional favorites for bold-flavored offerings that are good for the planet and free from animals. We’re thrilled to be featured at the Aquarium of the Pacific and help further our aligned missions to protect sea life and animals while providing great-tasting food.”
“With the addition of these 100% animal-free items to its existing environmentally friendly food options, the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is committed to offering sustainable choices throughout the guest experience,” said Shaun Beard, SAVOR Senior Vice President. “Wicked Kitchen’s presence at the Aquarium of the Pacific is also an example of the increased commitment to sustainability from major venues and global brands.”
The rollout of these new menu items at Aquarium of the Pacific is part of a multi-year partnership with ASM Global and Wicked Kitchen to increase the selection and availability of vegan food options throughout its network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers.
In addition to its recent launch into food service, Wicked Kitchen has the largest variety of any chef-crafted, plant-based CPG brand in the U.S. with a portfolio of products available in more than 14,000 retailers in the U.S.
SAVOR is the culinary division of ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, which spans five continents and more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues. The team at SAVOR provides top-notch experiences at every event, from the food preparation to the beverage offerings, whether for intimate VIP experiences or banquets with over 20,000 guests. Besides great, authentic chef-driven food, the core elements of SAVOR’s food vision include partnerships with local growers, producers and community members; a commitment to using antibiotic free meats and poultry; and dedication to minimizing impact on the environment through robust sustainability, recycling and composting programs. For more information, please visit savorasmglobal.com.
Created by chefs and brothers Derek Sarno and Chad Sarno, Wicked Kitchen is on a mission to inspire the world to eat more plants. Wicked Kitchen is a pioneering, chef-driven range of delicious 100% animal-free foods that unleash the power of plants. Wicked Kitchen provides convenient meal solutions in food service and across multiple supermarket departments, available at Tesco in the U.K. and more than 14,000 retailers in the U.S. and Thailand. Wicked Kitchen also owns Current Foods and Good Catch, both plant-based seafood brands offering the taste, texture, and eating experience of seafood. For more information, visit www.WickedKitchen.com.
The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diversity and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the Southern California Gallery, Babies!, Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities, Pacific Visions, and Shark Lagoon. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including First Wednesdays featuring guest speakers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months and other special benefits. To make a donation to help support the Aquarium, please visit Pacific.to/donate. To visit, reservations are required for everyone and can be made at aquariumofpacific.org or by calling (562) 590-3100. The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.