This spring, James Beard ® Foundation Book Award nominee Questlove makes his first proper foray into the food industry as he introduces “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™, ” made with Impossible™ plant-based meat.
Questlove encountered the Impossible™ Burger in 2015. He was immediately impressed with Impossible Foods’™ plant-based product and their mission to be the leading manufacturer of sustainable foods. Additionally, he resonated with the company’s ambitious goal to impact the global environment by creating a delicious and sustainable alternative to animal meat. In 2017, he became an investor in the Silicon Valley based-company.
Re-imagining this Philadelphia tradition back home, “Questlove’s Cheesesteak ™ ” will launch at Citizens Bank Park on opening day March 28 at two locations on the main concourse (behind Sections 108 & 120). “ Questlove’s Cheesesteak ™” will be sold at all 81 home games for The Phillies . The Cheesesteak starts a new chapter this spring in Philly and is in line with the Phillies efforts to make the world a cleaner place with their ” Red Goes Green” campaign, focused on sustainability.
This summer “Questlove’s Cheesesteak ™ ” will also be introduced on the menu at 40 Live Nation owned and operated venues across North America. Aligning with another kindred spirit, Questlove found the perfect partner in Live Nation who was the first to offer Impossible™Meat in the concert space when they introduced the Impossible™Burger at over 35 venues in 2018. Live Nation venues maintain a commitment to responsible food sourcing, climate-friendly menus, locally grown produce, and its own “Sustainability Rocks ” program.
“ We first tested this product at our annual Roots Picnic music festival in Philly in 2018. Without any forewarning we offered the Cheesesteak in our VIP area which was mainly populated with friends and family and no one believed me when I told them the “meat” was not beef, but plant-based. My team and I saw an opportunity to roll out the product on a much larger level. To have the Phillies and Live Nation as our initial partners is great as it speaks to my love for my hometown of Philadelphia combined withmy love of music. However, the goal for this product is to create a global network of restaurants, venues, and retail locations where Questlove’s Cheesesteak can be purchased,” says Questlove.
A bona fide food aficionado and passionate connoisseur, Questlove continues to expand his culinary oeuvre and make major moves in the business. “Questlove’s Cheesesteak ™ ” will be the first company he launches in the space where he’s made a major impact over the past two decades.
Representative of his expertise, his book , somethingtofoodabout: Exploring Creativity with America’s most Innovative Chefs , became nominated for the James Beard ® Foundation Book Award for Nonfiction and won an AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers award . Building yet another brand, he famously hosts “Food Salons” where the paths of Michelin-starred chefs, thought leaders, and creatives in diverse fields cross under his purview. In 2018, he unveiled a collaboration with Williams-Sonoma around his love of popcorn; Questlove X Williams-Sonoma . Illustrative of his commitments, he remains a member of Food Council for City Harvest and sits on boards for the Food Education Fund at Food & Finance High School and Museum of Food & Drink (MOFAD) in addition to working with No Kid Hungry. He is focused on diversity and inclusivity in the food space.
Questlove is a GRAMMY ® Award-winning musician, designer, co-founder of The Roots , and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Musical Director.
Questlove will be making further announcements very soon.
