Chef Shout-Outs

Meet the chef: Cristian PontiggiaChef Cristian Pontiggia Dishes on His Craft and the Power of Local FoodSince taking the helm as executive chef at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, Cristian Pontiggia has been quietly reshaping the restaurant’s culinary identity—one...

Meet the chef: Zachary PerronTravel + Leisure lists Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort as one of the world’s best destination spas. Among its many attributes, the scenic resort is known for its spring-fed healing waters. The recipient of a 2022 OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award,...

Meet the chef: Andrée FallsAmerican culinary expert James Beard is quoted as saying, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” Sage Bakehouse owner/baker Andrée Falls agrees. She offers 14...

Meet the chef: Nathan MayesPaloma Owner Marja Martin feels that she hosts a dinner party every night at her intimate Santa Fe restaurant on South Guadalupe Street. “I enjoy having people come into my space, and to have them greeted warmly,” She said, adding that Chef...

Meet the chef: Paulraj KaruppasamyChef Paulraj Karuppasamy and his wife and business partner, Nellie Tischler, own and operate Paper Dosa, a restaurant specializing in South Indian Cuisine. Located at 551 West Cordova Road, the menu offers dishes with lamb and chicken...

Meet the chef: Nestor PereiraRecently we caught up with 1999 Regional Classic James Beard Award recipient Katharine Kagel, who is the Owner of Café Pasqual’s (121 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe). For more than 40 years, her restaurant has been “serving the very best ingredients...

Meet the chef: Estevan GarciaOn any given Saturday Farmers’ Market at the Railyard, shoppers might spot one of Santa Fe’s outstanding chefs. None is more beloved than Executive Chef Estevan Garcia, a native son and chef-owner of estevan restaurante. Raised in Santa...

Meet the chef: Lois Ellen FrankChef Lois Ellen Frank began her career as a professional cook and organic gardener and now is also a Native foods historian, author, and photographer. She has spent over 25 years documenting foods and life ways of Native American tribes...

Meet the chef: Jose “Kiko” RodriquezChef Jose “Kiko” Rodriguez brings a wide variety of skills and techniques to the Global Flavors Local Lunch: from Mexican to Spanish to Japanese. Chef Kiko has quickly worked his way up the ranks in the restaurant business. He...

Meet the chef: Josh GerwinChef Josh Gerwin is a native Santa Fean who attended the New England Culinary Institute, where he earned a degree AND their “Golden Tong Award” for best savory chef in his class. He served as sous chef at the prestigious Five Diamond Fairmont...

Meet the chef: Hue-Chan KarelsHue-Chan Karels is the Chef-Owner of Open Kitchen. Chef Hue-Chan brings to the table not only her diverse palate, adaptability, and joyful exuberance, but also her fine-tuned ability to design and produce fantastic events. With the...

Meet the chef: Matt YohalemChef Matt opened Il Piatto Italian Farmhouse Kitchen in 1996, and Esquire named him in their Top 20 Best New Restaurants…and it seems like he gets better every year. He attended Johnson and Wales University, and he has worked in some of the...