Behind the scenes of flavor and innovation: Introducing “Tomato Talks”

What happens when you blend creativity, science and a dash of tomato-fueled curiosity? You get Tomato Talks, Mars Food & Nutrition’s new video series serving up a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at how our teams bring delicious, nutritious meals to life.

The series launches with a lively first episode featuring Steven Zarraga, Head of R&D Innovation. Filmed at the Mars kitchen in London, the episode invites viewers to pull up a chair and see what our purpose to deliver tasty, accessible and healthy meals really means in action.

Peeling back the layers

Our Tomato Talks video series is bringing you the real people behind our products, and a behind the scenes access look at how we make nutritious food that tastes great, and is quick and convenient to make.

Armed with a tomato-shaped microphone and a sense of curiosity, our host will travel to Mars sites around the world — from R&D labs to factory floors — speaking with the innovators shaping the future of food. With its relaxed, conversational tone, Tomato Talks lets their passion, humor and creativity shine through.

Episode one: data meets delicious

In the debut episode, Steven shares how his team blends data-driven insights with hands-on culinary creativity. One example? Ben’s Original™ Street Food, developed using AI to identify emerging global flavor trends before Mars chefs transformed those insights into authentic, ready-to-enjoy meals. “It’s science blended with creativity in the kitchen — and a lot of taste testing,” Steven laughs.

He also highlights the importance of texture, from crisp veggies to perfectly balanced grains, it all plays a part in creating a delicious meal. And how convenience continues to drive our innovation, with more than half of U.S. consumers spending less than 15 minutes preparing meals. The result is a portfolio of ready meals designed for modern life: Ben’s Original™ Lunch Bowls, Dolmio® Feasts and beyond.

Nourishing innovation

At the heart of every Mars Food & Nutrition product lies our Nutrition Criteria, the standards that ensure taste and health go hand in hand. That means reducing added sugars, salt and saturated fats, while increasing vegetables, legumes and fiber.

Steven explains that innovation isn’t just about creating something new, but about improving what already exists. From steam technology in Ben’s Original™ Ready Rice that locks in flavor and texture, to sun-ripened tomatoes in Dolmio® sauces with no artificial colors or preservatives, Tomato Talks reveals how every small choice we make can make a big difference at the dinner table.

Why it matters

Tomato Talks is a celebration of the people and principles behind Mars Food & Nutrition, the collaboration between science and creativity that turns great ideas into great food. As Steven puts it, “The magic is seeing an idea go from our kitchen to someone’s dinner table in a matter of minutes.”

Stay tuned on mars.com and Mars Food & Nutrition LinkedIn for future episodes of Tomato Talks, as the series travels across Mars sites worldwide spotlighting the passion, purpose and innovation that make our food tasty, accessible and healthy.