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HOUSTON - Bun B is sharing his new food restaurant with America and what's the main food item? Chicken tenders.
Trill Tenders, co-owned by Houston rap icon and restaurateur Bun B, won the ConTender Contest at the 2023 Tenderfest in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Bun B and his team created Trill Tenders after an invitation to compete in the world's largest celebration of chicken tenders, Tenderfest, a festival, organized by Los Angeles hospitality and lifestyle enterprise The HWood Group.
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Trill Tenders competed among some of Los Angeles's most celebrated culinary figures such as pitmaster Burt Bakman of Slab Barbecue, Joan McNamara of Joan's on Third, and Chef Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord Filipino restaurant. Trill Tenders was led by Bun B and partners Andy Nguyen, chef Mike Pham, chef Fernando Valladares, and Nick Scurfield.
"Chef Mike and Chef Nando came together on this recipe until they felt we had the perfect tender and their hard work was rewarded," Bun B said. "We’re honored, and I’m so happy to have the best chefs in the game. Everything they bring to the table is top-notch. I know you guys are enjoying Trill Burgers, but save some room for some chicken tenders, baby – ‘cuz Trill Tenders is on the way."
Trill chefs Pham and Valladares have experience with Nashville Hot-stile chicken given their own restaurants, Pham's Hotties and Valladares' Fowl Play, both in Orange County.
Trill Tenders is said to have used a classic French brining technique, ensuring the chicken remains succulent and the batter stays crispy. They are served with Soy OG and Pink OG dipping sauces.
"Participating amongst these high-caliber chefs was an honor; winning the competition was unimaginable," said Pham. "This could only happen with a team like Trill, trusting us to produce a Trill Tender that lives up to Trill Burgers."
Bun B's current popular restaurant, Trill Burgers, was named the "Best Burger in America" by Good Morning America.