Mushroom Angel and Picasso Restaurant Group Partner

Local Family-Owned Businesses Unite to Offer Mushroom-Based Dishes at University of Michigan Campuses, Hospitals and Greater Detroit Area

January 24, 2025•3 min read

Ann Arbor, MI — April 18, 2025 — Picasso Restaurant Group, a family-owned Michigan-based food service provider renowned for its innovative dining experiences, is excited to announce a partnership with The Mushroom Angel Company, a Detroit-based family-owned producer of made from mushrooms foods. This collaboration aims to bring nutritious, locally made, plant-based options to the University of Michigan's campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, its affiliated hospitals, and more.

The Mushroom Angel Company specializes in creating foods from mushrooms that offer the taste and texture of meat, without using soy, dairy, gluten, or GMOs. Their products cater to health-conscious meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike, providing a more wholesome alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor or quality.

Allen Attee, CEO of Picasso Restaurant Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

"If I had to identify one thing that differentiates our organization from any other, it is the culture and family we have collectively built together." He added, "Partnering with another family-owned brand like The Mushroom Angel Company, whose journey mirrors our own, is truly inspiring. Together, we're bringing innovative, health-focused dining options to the communities we serve."

W.E. Da'Cruz, CEO of The Mushroom Angel Company, shared her perspective:

"Our goal is to 'spread the good gospel of mushrooms,' and we're excited to bring this good news to more people across Metro Detroit. This partnership brings us full circle, as our family took a leap of faith when we moved from the East Coast to Michigan, unaware that we would become part of the fabric of Michigan by building a mushroom-first food manufacturer. We’re happy to bring our talents and serve Michiganders (our new home) because there’s mushroom (much room) to impact."

CFO of the The Mushroom Angel Company, Dominique Da’Cruz, added:

“This collaboration to impact more lives wouldn’t be possible without the various communities in Detroit that have become family, including our relationship with Marygrove Conservancy. Marygrove served as our initial shared-kitchen space before transitioning to our dedicated facility in Eastern Market. And it’s the leadership at Marygrove, in particular Robbie Walker, who connected us with Allen that initiated this partnership.”

This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to promoting healthier foods and wellness through innovative, locally-sourced food options. Students, faculty, staff, and hospital patrons can look forward to enjoying these mushroom-based dishes across University of Michigan campuses and medical facilities starting this month.

Mushroom Angel and Picasso Restaurant Group

About Picasso Restaurant Group

Picasso Restaurant Group is a Michigan-based, family-owned company dedicated to revolutionizing food service, restaurants, and catering. With a focus on quality and community, they have become a trusted partner in delivering exceptional dining experiences across various venues. https://www.prgmichigan.com/

About The Mushroom Angel Company

The Mushroom Angel Company is a Detroit-based, family-owned food manufacturer producing foods made from mushrooms that cut and bite like meat but taste like veggies. Their products are free from soy, dairy, gluten, and GMOs, catering to health-conscious individuals seeking nutritious and delicious alternatives. https://themushroomangel.com/

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Wendy Ekua (W.E.) Da'Cruz

W.E. Da’Cruz, widely known as The Digital Diplomat™, is a visionary global strategist, speaker, tech entrepreneur, and modern-day citizen diplomat whose work bridges commerce, culture, and consciousness. She equips entrepreneurs, policymakers, and mission-driven leaders to confidently operate across international markets with principled leadership, digital innovation, and global diplomacy. She is also the cofounder of The Virtual Global Consultant (VGC) Group, an award-winning IT firm recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its leadership in digital transformation. Through her consultancy, she has helped generate millions in revenue and donations for U.S. and African organizations using smart digital infrastructure. As a U.S. Embassy Speaker, her international influence has led her to speak and lead trainings around the world from Ethiopia to Ghana to South Africa to Mozambique, to Kuwait and beyond for high-level institutions, including the U.S. Department of State, U.S.-Africa Business Summit, and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Appointed to multiple U.S. trade and diplomatic advisory committees, W.E. is also a 2023 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Next Gen Leader and a tireless advocate for global entrepreneurship, food innovation, and inclusive economic development. She and her husband are cofounders of The Mushroom Angel Company, a Detroit-based mushroom-first food manufacturer with 120+ retail placements across the Midwest. She's currently completing his doctoral dissertation on non-market business strategy at the University of Michigan - Flint and is scheduled to graduate in Spring 2026. Rooted in faith, legacy, and the power of identity, W.E.'s life is a living movement—calling people to rise in authority, move with intention, and scale with strategy for lasting impact across generations.

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