Phoenix chef concocts Taco Bell's next Crunchwrap Supreme
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Chilte chef Lawrence "LT" Smith's take on the Crunchwrap Supreme. Photo: Courtesy of Taco Bell
The chef behind Phoenix's wildly popular Chilte has a new creation to share with the world — a specially designed Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme.
Why it matters: Lawrence "LT" Smith was one of three up-and-coming chefs chosen nationally by Taco Bell to reimagine the classic menu item as part of the fast food chain's TBX Program, which aims to shine a light on local culinary talent and expand its range of flavors.
The big picture: Smith's dish, which will be unveiled Wednesday in New York City, features fried chicken smothered in a spicy, chunky salsa and apricot hot sauce. It also includes Oaxaca-style mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, a vibrant purple cabbage slaw, cilantro and reduced-fat sour cream. All of this is wrapped in the iconic Crunchwrap tortilla design.
- "Phoenix is especially going to vibe with this because we're bringing that Chilte boldness that I'm always trying to bring," Smith told Axios.
The intrigue: The local chef took a nontraditional route to the kitchen — he was a college football standout drafted to the NFL in 2015, but released before he ever started.
- He came to Arizona shortly thereafter, attended culinary school and trained under some of the Valley's top chefs. Eventually, he began selling his own food under a pop-up tent on the street. Next, he got a food truck and finally, he opened Chilte — reinventing his menu with each iteration of his business.
- Smith's first offerings, served on Phoenix sidewalks, were hot chicken sandwiches, which he used as inspiration for his Taco Bell creation, he said.
What they're saying: "I was like, alright, let's put our dope-ass sandwich inside of their Crunchwrap," Smith told us.
Between the lines: Taco Bell is hosting a complimentary pop-up tasting event in New York Wednesday and Thursday — an important first step to collect feedback on the dish ahead of its possible release at Taco Bell locations next year, according to the restaurant chain.
- In the meantime, Taco Bell Rewards Members can channel their inner chef by putting their own twist on the Crunchwrap Supreme with $3 off customization through Oct. 21. Options include several sauces, French fries, tortilla strips and more.
Zoom out: The two other Crunchwrap concoctions are equally surprising.
- Philadelphia chef Reuben Asaram channeled an Indian buffet and San Antonio chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin packed hers with crunchy wheat noodles.
The bottom line: "I think we all have our own lanes and our own flavor profile, so I think we're all just going to have badass ones," Smith said.
