Taco Bell's Karen Stefl celebrates her victory during a "cheese off" during an employee preview party. (File photo)

Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol, at right, has a cheese off with Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews, left, during a special sneak peek employee preview party Friday for the launch of the new Quesalupa debuting Super Bowl Sunday.

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Chief Marketing Officer Marisa Thalberg said hard-core Taco Bell fans have been incorporating the brand into engagement and wedding festivities for yearswith “sauce packet proposals” and “catering” at receptions. (Courtesy Taco Bell)

Taco Bell is partnering with reservation system OpenTable to provide 32 super fans an exclusive five-course meal at the chain’s Irvine test kitchen. The behind-the-scenes meal will include never-before-seen dishes inspired by classic Taco Bell foods. “The dinner will feature twists on Taco Bell favorites,” the company said in a statement released today, April 27. (Courtesy Taco Bell)

Taco Bell is partnering with reservation system OpenTable to provide 32 super fans an exclusive five-course meal at the chain’s Irvine test kitchen. The behind-the-scenes meal will include never-before-seen dishes inspired by classic Taco Bell foods. “The dinner will feature twists on Taco Bell favorites,” the company said in a statement released today, April 27. (Courtesy Taco Bell)



Taco Bell is partnering with reservation system OpenTable to provide 32 super fans an exclusive five-course meal at the chain’s Irvine test kitchen.

The behind-the-scenes meal will include never-before-seen dishes inspired by classic Taco Bell foods. “The dinner will feature twists on Taco Bell favorites,” the company said in a statement released April 27.

Reservations can be made through OpenTable starting May 5 and are limited to two seats per person. During the dining experience, fans will meet Taco Bell’s top creators and chefs and get a first-hand look at where innovations such as the Doritos Locos Taco and the Naked Chicken Chalupa are invented.

Taco Bell has opened up its test kitchen to visitors including the media, bloggers, Instagrammers and celebrities like Conan O’Brien. Most recently, former MTV reality show stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt visited the fast-food chain’s test kitchen for a special cooking throwdown.

The cooking competition was streamed through Snapchat. Still, Taco Bell says this is the first time the chain has created a test kitchen dining event open to anyone nationwide. The event will be held May 19.

To create suspense, Taco Bell said it will be releasing the “reservation URL” sometime on May 5. They are asking fans to watch the chain’s social media channels for the URL.

Liz Matthews, chief food officer at Taco Bell said: “We’re excited to open our doors into the magic of our innovation and give our biggest fans an experience they’ll never forget.”

The five-course meal is free, but limited to adults ages 21 and over because some of the courses will be paired with specialty cocktails. Those traveling from afar must pay for their own travel accommodations. After the initial event, a series of dining experiences will be added throughout the year, giving fans nationwide the opportunity for a coveted Test Kitchen by Taco Bell reservation through OpenTable.

Scott Jampol, senior vice president of marketing at OpenTable, said this is the first time the online reservation system has collaborated with a fast-food restaurant.

“We’re looking forward to delighting Taco Bell fans across the country with this fun and behind-the-scenes experience as we know diners love a sneak peek at the secret sauce behind their favorite restaurants,” he said in a statement.

On Valentine’s Day, Taco Bell announced plans to host wedding ceremonies this summer at its 24-hour Cantina restaurant in Las Vegas. For $600, chalupa-loving Taco Bell fans can tie the knot over a box of tacos.

The fast-food chain is throwing in other branded perks, including a CinnabonDelights wedding cake and a bouquet made of hot sauce packets. Dan Ryckert and Bianca Monda will be the first to marry in the Sin City restaurant in early June.

The company is also testing some of the most creative foods in its history in recent months, including the Naked Chicken Chalupa, the Naked Breakfast Taco, a Doritos Quesalupa Crunch and a Chicken Enchilada Wrap.