Who Invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos?

The Sporkful | Feb 21, 2022

For two decades, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos has been one of the most popular snacks in America. In recent years its legend has grown, as word spread that they were invented by Richard Montañez, a Mexican-American janitor at Frito-Lay who went on to become a company executive. The story made Montañez something of a Latino icon, with two memoirs and a soon-to-be-released biopic based on his life. But when a journalist at the L.A. Times started looking into this feel-good story, he found a very different tale. //

Get 500+ more great Sporkful episodes from our catalog and lots of other Stitcher goodness when you sign up for Stitcher Premium: www.StitcherPremium.com/Sporkful (promo code: SPORKFUL).

Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Exclusive renderings of Penn Station overhaul show Trump's name with presidential seal

The images show gold-accented railings, columns and escalators, and a new structure around Madison Square Garden.
Gothamist |

Mamdani's First "Neighborhood-Level" Housing Plan

David Brand discusses Mayor Zohran Mamdani's “South of Prospect Plan."
The Brian Lehrer Show |

The U.F.C. President, Dana White, on Donald Trump: “He’s Not a Racist”

White discusses his relationship with the President, the upcoming match on the White House South Lawn, and why he thinks he’s above politics.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Episode 4 of American Emergency; The Movement to Kill FEMA

FEMA’s uncertain future. Plus, what happens when the next disaster strikes?
On the Media |
YOU ARE ONLINE