SMORGASBORD: Kids in kitchen — and online . . . Doritos — in a taco shell . . . Cupcake delivery

Doritos — in a taco shell

Taco Bell hopes to turn orange Doritos cheese powder into green — as in cash from its latest invention.

The Mexican-style chain last week rolled out Doritos Locos Tacos at its nearly 5,600 restaurants nationwide. The fast-food chain, a unit of Yum Brands Inc., calls the tacos that use shells made out of Nacho Cheese Doritos the biggest product launch in its 50-year history. It plans to introduce a Doritos Cool Ranch taco shell this fall.

Taco Bell said it plans to spend up to $75 million to advertise the new tacos — about three times more than it typically spends to promote new menu rollouts.

The new tacos come as Taco Bell attempts to rebound from the bad publicity generated by a lawsuit a year ago that alleged the meat filling served at its restaurants didn’t have enough beef to be called that. Taco Bell denounced the claim as false and spent millions to defend its filling and shore up its image. The suit was dropped about three months after it was filed by an Alabama-based law firm, but the chain’s sales have struggled.

Kids in kitchen — and online

Will kids be more willing to mind the peas and cukes of proper eating if they’re taught to get excited about food, cooking and nutrition via their computer screens?

“Kids Who Love to Cook” is an online program that follows the basic cooking show format, with kids demonstrating recipes from start to finish, learning cooking techniques and discovering where food comes from.

Recipes range from parchment-baked fish to miniturkey burgers to breakfast pizza.

“KickinKitchen.TV” is a self-styled “comedy-cooking mashup” along the lines of “Glee,” with its teenage cast involved in singing and comedic scenarios.

Both shows have guest stars: “Kids” features various achievers in a segment called “Breakfast with Champions,” while superstar chef Daniel Boulud and Green Bay Packer Greg Jennings make cameo appearances on “KickinKitchen.”

The series keep kids front-and-center — cooking, tasting, experimenting, interacting in fast-moving, colorful segments that focus on good-for-you food without getting too preachy.

Auditions are being held for cast members of “Kids Who Love to Cook.” Children who can cook or bake may sign up for auditions at kidswholovetocook.com.

Cupcake delivery

To sink your teeth into the buttercream frosting of a Magnolia Bakery cupcake, perhaps a classic chocolate or a specialty such as red velvet, you don’t need to make a pilgrimage to New York.

The bakery now is shipping its cupcakes (frozen) nationwide. Prices start at $18 for six classic cupcakes in a box or $30 when packed in a signature tin. Specialty cupcakes start at $21 for six in a box ($33 in a tin).

Tags: life, updates, food, smorgasbord