Welcome to Talking Plant Protein, I'm Joey Thurman, and these are this week's trending topics. German biotech startup, Protein Distillery, is producing what it calls the first customizable vegan protein that can substitute all functionalities of animal protein. Sourced from upcycled brewer's yeast, the new protein claims to offer a fully balanced nutritional value, unique taste, and optimal texture in both warm and cold applications. The startup is beginning to work with its first customers and plants to launch a pilot plant after its upcoming seed funding round. Plan Based World Expo is a gathering place for food service and retail distributors, investors, and manufacturers in the plant-based sector, and they just announced their 2022 expo on September 8th and 9th in New York. Following a successful 2021 event, this year's summit will be bigger and better, with a larger floor plan, twice as many sessions, and even more exhibitors. Registration is now open on the expo's website.

Plant based burger chain, you ready for it? Slutty Vegan got its start as a food truck in July of 2018 and opened its first brick and mortar location in October of the same year after a rapid growth in popularity. The restaurant has drawn attention from celebrities, including Tyler Perry, Snoop Dogg, Ursher baby, and even Shaquille O'Neal, and now they're teaming up with iconic fashion brands Steve Madden to release reimagined versions of the brand's classic possession sneakers and bcalling bags. In a recent statement, Slutty Vegan founder, Pinky Cole said, "This collaboration is bigger than just a shoe. It's about showing people that you don't have to live inside of a box. You can be disruptive and break every glass ceiling, even if it means being a burger joint that has a vegan shoe." From Talking Plant Protein, I'm Joey Thurman, and those are this week's trending topics.