“Tacos Y Tikka” Chef Collaboration Takes Place in Bethesda Starting October 26th

Two chefs with restaurants less than a mile away in Bethesda will be teaming up to create a Mexican/Indian fusion menu. Tacombi‘s chef Carmen Miranda is partnering with award winning and beloved DMV chef Ashish Alfred, as they each bring their own heritage to the table for a first-of-its-kind Mexico-meets-India collaboration. The mouthwatering Mexican and Indian fusion will be exclusively available at the Bethesda Tacombi taqueria (4749 Bethesda Ave) for a limited-time-only from October 26 through Thanksgiving.

In what Chef Alfred calls a “synergy of two different flavor profiles in two different cultures,” the brand new Chicken Tikka Masala Taco features garam masala, ginger, and butter chicken sauce, wrapped in a Vista Hermosa corn tortilla, finished with cotija cheese. This cross-cultural creation is another innovation from Tacombi, the Mexican taqueria known for its full-flavor tacos, cocktails and ice-cold beers, which operates 20 popular taquerias across the DMV, NYC and Miami metro areas. Drawing on rich culinary traditions from distinct regions of Mexico, Tacombi’s menu offers a variety of authentic full-flavor tacos alongside traditional Mexican bites complemented by ice-cold beers and cocktails.

Chef Alfred is known for combining his classical training from the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, his Indian-American roots and his inner-rebel at his restaurants Duck Duck Goose, Anchor Bar, Good Ducking Burger and Osteria Pirata. His taco collaboration with Tacombi will tantalize taste buds in Bethesda and beyond. Chef Carmen Miranda leads Culinary Innovation for Tacombi and is an award-winning chef, who has garnered international recognition for her achievements and culinary expertise. Most notably, Carmen was named winner of the seventh season of “MasterChef” Mexico in 2019 and was awarded the “Taco de Oro” in Dubai, UAE in January 2022.

This partnership is an example of how both Tacombi and The Alfred Restaurant Group are committed to the people, neighborhoods, and organizations that have and continue to support them, and are now bringing something new and exciting to the community of Bethesda.

About Tacombi: Tacombi operates 20 taquerias across the New York City Metro Area, Miami, FL and the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Drawing on the rich culinary traditions across distinct regions of Mexico, its menu offers a variety of authentic taco recipes alongside traditional Mexican bites and beverages. With the opening of its first New York City location in 2010, Tacombi crafted its own line of fresh tortilla products under the brand Vista Hermosa that are made from scratch daily for use in its taquerias. Vista Hermosa now includes corn tortillas, flour tortillas, tortilla chips (“Totopos”), and frozen burritos, and are sold in the taquerias and in 2,000 retail stores. As Tacombi opens kitchens in new cities, each new taqueria is participating in growing The Tacombi Foundation’s impact. With a mission to combat and address food insecurity, the Foundation provides food relief for local families and neighbors in need by donating thousands of meals made at each taqueria kitchen.

About Chef Ashish Alfred: Chef Ashish Alfred combines his classical training from the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan with his Indian-American roots and his inner-rebel, risk-taker sensibilities to create contemporary dining concepts rooted in soulful cooking. A serial entrepreneur with multiple Maryland and D.C. restaurants to his credit, Chef Al is regularly featured on television and in the media for his entertaining personality, and has competed on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and Chopped. Overcoming an addiction to drugs and alcohol, Alfred has frequently shared his journey of recovery and redemption with adult and teen audiences. His work ethic and creativity have turned skeptics and critics into fans eager for his latest dishes. In 2018, he was invited to prepare a multi-course dinner for a sold-out crowd at the prestigious James Beard House. He was named Maryland Chef of the Year 2019 by the Maryland Restaurant Association and a 2020 “40 Under 40” recipient by the Baltimore Business Journal. Most recently, he was featured on the cover of Baltimore Magazine as one of the city’s top Taste Makers. Alfred Restaurant Group establishments continue to win rave reviews in Maryland and beyond.