A new player in the ‘flexitarian’ game, Nando’s is welcoming even more diners to its table with the launch of its newest menu item, the Great Pretender. The high protein, plant-based chicken alternative is set to give customers even more choice, no matter their favourite Nando’s PERi-PERi basting or dietary preferences.

Originating in South Africa in 1987, Nando’s has been dishing up flame-grilled PERi PERi chicken in Australia since 1990. Today there are around 200 Nando’s restaurants across the country.

Nando’s Head of Food, Mario Manabe, said the Great Pretender will see Nando’s join the plant-based conversation with a completely meat-free product, giving Aussies the chance to switch up their protein source when the mood strikes.
 
“We’ve used key ingredients from our signature PERi-PERi recipe to give the Great Pretender a kick of flavours including lemon, herbs and garlic, which all pair so well with our Nando’s African Birds Eye Chilli. On top of this, the colour and coarseness of the protein itself and the juiciness of the patty have all been tweaked and re-tweaked to make the Great Pretender an absolute winner.

Unlike our veggie patty, the Great Pretender’s texture is very similar to a chicken burger patty, and it caramelises and smells just like meat when it’s cooked,” said Mario.

“We’re excited to be innovating our menu and providing an option for Nando’s fans which still includes all the perks of our famous PERi-PERi flavour. Our aim is to make dining at Nando’s as inclusive as possible, so this addition will certainly help in catering to Australia’s ever-changing eating habits.
 
The Nando’s Great Pretender was developed with insights from a series of market and sensory testing to ensure it’s enticing to both meat-eaters and flexitarians. The result is a tasty, high protein meat alternative for our customers that we know they’re going to love,” he added.
 
The Great Pretender will be available in every Queensland restaurant from Tuesday 4 February, with plans to launch the chicken alternative nationwide for everyone to enjoy later in the year.

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