Bun B’s Trill Tenders Take Top Honors at Tenderfest in Los Angeles
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Bun B’s new Trill Tenders win top honors at Tenderfest in Los Angeles
Ownership team behind Trill Burgers, GMA’s “Best Burger in America,” named winner of the ConTender Contest at world’s largest chicken tender festival
HOUSTON (Oct. 24, 2023) – Trill Tenders – co-owned by Texas rap legend and restaurateur Bun B – was named winner of the ConTender Contest at the 2023 Tenderfest in Los Angeles on Saturday. The team behind Trill Burgers, named “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America, created the delectable Trill Tenders after being invited to compete in the world’s largest celebration of chicken tenders. The festival was put on by Los Angeles hospitality and lifestyle company The HWood Group, bringing together the best and brightest in chicken tenders at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.
Led by Bun B and partners Andy Nguyen, chef Mike Pham, chef Fernando Valladares and Nick Scurfield, Trill Tenders competed against some of the most celebrated names in Los Angeles food – pitmaster Burt Bakman of Slab Barbecue, Joan McNamara of Joan’s on Third and chef Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord Filipino restaurant.
“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.”
The Trill chefs both have experience with Nashville Hot-style chicken concepts of their own, including Pham’s Hotties and Valladares’ Fowl Play, both out of Orange County. Inspired by their fine dining background, Trill Tenders were brined with a classic French technique, keeping the chicken juicy and batter crispy, and 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, who won Food Network’s “Burger Impossible” competition on “Chopped” in September. “This could only happen with a team like Trill, trusting us to produce a Trill Tender that lives up to Trill Burgers.”
Stay tuned for Trill Tenders pop-up information by following @trilltenders on social media.
About Trill Burgers
Trill Burgers is an award-winning Houston smashburger concept owned by rap legend Bun B (Bernard Freeman), restaurateur Andy Nguyen, Scurfield Group founder Nick Scurfield and chefs Mike Pham and Fernando Valladares. Founded as a pop-up in the summer of 2021, it became a certified hit at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and music festivals across the United States, including Coachella, Something in the Water, Rolling Loud and Rock the Bells. Trill Burgers’ OG Burger earned the title of the best burger in America from “Good Morning America” in 2022 and received a City of Houston proclamation on Sept. 18, 2022, recognizing National Cheeseburger Day as “Trill Burgers Day” in Houston at a City Hall pop-up with more than 2,000 customers. In 2023, Trill Burgers won a coveted Gold Buckle Foodie Award for Best Classic Fair Food at the Houston Rodeo. Trill Burgers has been enjoyed by celebrities and entertainers including Drake, DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Tyler the Creator, Travis Scott, Mike Tyson and Ken Griffey Jr. For more information, visit www.trill-burgers.com.
About Bun B, Trill Burgers Co-Founder
A true Houston icon, Bun B (Bernard Freeman) debuted on the rap scene in 1992 as part of the rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Along with the late Chad Butler AKA Pimp C, the two Port Arthur, Texas, natives pioneered a sound that has become synonymous with Southern rap music. Bun B has also succeeded as a solo artist, releasing five solo albums throughout his career. The rap legend also has worked with stars including Jay-Z, Outkast, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Drake. Bun B has expanded his reach beyond the music industry. He created “Bun B’s Rap Coloring and Activity Book” with author Shea Serrano and taught a Religion and Hip Hop course with Professor Anthony Pinn at the prestigious Rice University in Houston. He was a headline performer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2022 and 2023. An active member of the Houston community, he also dedicates his time to various philanthropic endeavors and is a board member of Second Servings of Houston, Houston Cinema Arts Festival and Foundation 99 in Austin. He recently completed a term as a National Trustee for the Texas/Oklahoma chapter of the Recording Academy. Instagram: @bunb | Twitter: @bunbtrillog
Bun B’s Trill Tenders Take Top Honors at Tenderfest in Los Angeles
