As the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham settles into Detroit, local plant-based eaters are in for a treat. The new vegan recruit — who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft — is an ambassador for the Eat Just company’s Just Egg brand, a line of egg substitute products made from mung bean and turmeric. And he’s partnered with Folk to debut a sandwich on the Corktown café’s menu for a limited time.
The $10 sandwich, which is called the Cade Stack, features Just Egg Folded, a rectangular “egg” patty that contains 7 grams of protein, as well local greens, basil, rosemary potato crisps, and a shakshuka “cheese” sauce. It’s available at the café, located at 1701 Trumbull St., until Aug. 9.
Cunningham being selected as the Pistons’ No. 1 overall pick on July 29 came as no surprise to basketball insiders and enthusiasts. The 19-year-old, 6-foot-8-inch point guard from Oklahoma State has long been predicted to be the top pick for the draft and has been on the path toward NBA success for some time.
In 2019 — when he was still in high school, playing ball at Montverde Academy and drawing attention for his performance in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League and on USA Basketball’s U19 team — SB Nation declared he was a “superstar for the modern game.” And prior to the 2021 draft, Sports Illustrated lauded Cunningham for his versatile skill set, which includes his ability to play and excel in a wide range of spots on the floor, his improved jumper, and his attitude.
Although it was expected, his addition to the team is a win for the Pistons. It’s also a point of pride for the vegan community, which has recently garnered media attention as more folks and businesses have started to embrace plant-based eating, including West Bloomfield’s Planterra Conservatory, New York City fine-dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park, Epicurious, and even the Met Gala.
Vegan athletes are no stranger to questions about how they stay in top shape — a common belief is that it’s not possible to maintain and improve endurance and strength without getting protein from meats. For what it’s worth, Cunningham, who has been vegan since he was in high school, is in good company with a number of star athletes who have followed plant-based diets for decades as they ascended to athletic stardom.
According to VegNews, NBA standouts Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan (who is an Eat Just ambassador, too) are plant-based and have credited the diet for improving their game. While we can’t guarantee the Cade Stack will turn you into the next basketball star — a sandwich can only do so much — it sure looks tasty.
For more information, visit folkdetroit.com.
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