Natalie Portman-Backed Tender Food’s Carnivore-Fooling Meat Now in All 11 Locations of Clover Food Lab – vegconomist
Boston-based Tender, a company specializing in next-generation meat alternatives, has partnered with Clover Food Lab to bring its plant-based chicken and pork to the restaurant chain’s 11 locations throughout the Boston metro area. Founded in 2020 by Harvard engineers, Tender focuses on creating plant-based meats, primarily chicken breast, pulled pork, and steaks.
“It’s an exciting and important time to eat local and with care for the planet”
Tender uses advanced technologies to replicate the muscle structure of animal meat, utilizing a unique plant-based fiber spinning technique similar to making cotton candy. This method enables Tender to produce meat alternatives with textures and cooking properties nearly indistinguishable from those of traditional meat while also offering high protein content without additives or fillers.
Clover Food Lab is a fast-casual restaurant chain noted for its commitment to healthy, sustainable, and plant-based food options. The chain uses locally sourced ingredients and features a rotating, seasonal menu. Customers can now add Tender’s fried chicken strips or Mexican-inspired pork with peanut, Morita pepper, and salsa macha to any of the Clover’s bowls.
Wowing carnivores
“About a year and a half ago, at an open-to-the-public food development meeting at Clover Food Lab, we blind taste-tested a new plant-based pulled pork. […] One bite in, and it was clear this pulled pork was special. It was smoky and succulent, with just the right mix of textures, including those delectable crunchy bits you get from perfect caramelization. Whoa. Even the carnivores among us were going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.” said Kiernan Schmitt, CMO of Clover Food Lab, in a company update.
“Even the carnivores among us were going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths”
He continued, “We discovered these plant-based meats were made right down the street by a company called Tender. We got to know their team and learned that they use a special process to spin plant proteins into muscle-y fibers that feel and taste astoundingly like the versions that used to cluck, oink, and moo. […] We’ve been testing them out at a few restaurants for the last few months, and the reaction has been amazing.”
Funding and future plans
In 2022, Tender raised $12 million in seed funding, with contributions from actress Natalie Portman, to scale production for its product lines. Additionally, Tender received a $999,986 grant from the US National Science Foundation (NSF) last year to investigate the potential of hybrid meat products that combine cultivated animal cells with plant-based meat over a two-year period.
Tender’s plant-based meats are now available at all Clover locations, marking the company’s entry into the foodservice sector. The company shared, “It’s an exciting and important time to eat local and with care for the planet. We’re proud to join forces with Clover to share even more dream-worthy meals to your table. Come give the powered-up bowls a try and have a picnic outside!”
