Taco Bell previewed what will be and what might be coming out of its Irvine headquarters during the next year on Tuesday, March 4.
The occasion was Live Mas LIVE, a fan event held in Brooklyn New York, and streamed live on YouTube to more than 12,000 viewers.
Tequila tacos with salted rims on their shells, a Mexican Pizza Empanada, Salted Toffee Cream Empanada Bites and a mini-bite-sized taco salad are among the items in the works at Taco Bell’s test kitchen, according to Liz Matthews, chief food innovation officer.
She also discussed collaborating with Los Angeles chef Bricia Lopez on carne asada and described a new purple sauce so hot that she said the live audience had to sign a waiver before sampling it.
After her presentation, chief marketing officer Taylor Montgomery discussed what Taco Bell has planned for 2025, including a 20th anniversary Crunchwrap; a 21st anniversary flavor of Mountain Dew Baja Blast; expansion of its beverage concept Live Más Café, which debuted in Chula Vista in December; product placement in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game; and a partnership with apparel company Bad Birdie on a high school golf invitational.
The event ran less than an hour. It was hosted by actor Ashley Park, known for “Emily in Paris” and the 2024 “Mean Girls” musical. It took place at Brooklyn Paramount, an event center in the New York City borough.
It was originally scheduled to take place Jan. 28 in Hollywood but was postponed and exported to the East Coast in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires.
