5-Minute Fridays

Eldora Chocolate represents a newer era of small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate—chocolate made from scratch with a focus on quality, transparency, and education. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we chat with Steve Prickett about the importance of building relationships with farmers, R&D, and the challenges of fine chocolate making.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠Quivira Coalition⁠.

Rancho de Santa Fe is a sixteenth-generation farm; the Velardes have been growing fruit at Velarde Orchards for over four hundred years, since 1598. They sell their produce and dozens of value-added products at the Fruit Basket. In this episode, Eddie Velarde and his son Caleb share their family’s history and reflect on what farming will look like for the next generation.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠Quivira Coalition⁠.

Through his dedication and hard work, Jonathan Ashworth of Arroyo Vino has become known as one of Santa Fe’s best servers, consistently going above and beyond for his guests. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk about the diplomacy and delicate balance of details needed to be an exceptional server, and along the way, Jonathan shares some anecdotes on unusually big tips.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠Quivira Coalition⁠.

Tractor Brewing⁠ has been around for more than two decades, not only making award-winning beer but also contributing to their community through donations and by cultivating inclusive, neighborhood-driven spaces where live music, local art, and community-led events regularly bring people together. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk with Jeremy Kinter about the challenges of operating a brewery when the industry as a whole is on a downward trend.  

This episode is brought to you by ⁠Quivira Coalition⁠.

Market Steer Steakhouse delivers a modern take on the classic steak house and is dedicated to the fine art of front-of-house hospitality. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we visit with general manager Kristina Goode and executive chef Kathleen Crook and chat about all things beef, regional sourcing, and the service that has made them one of Santa Fe’s premier dining spots.

Located in the Railyard in Santa Fe, ⁠As Above, So Below⁠ is creating spirits and cocktails with a sense of place. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk with Chris Hobdy and Caitlyn Fitzgerald of the bar team, discussing everything from seasonal drinks to their gin and vodka collaborations with Elvira, mistress of the dark.

Elizabeth Bibiano may have stumbled into cooking and veganism, but she has become a wizard at plant-based cuisine. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk with the co-owner and executive chef of ⁠Vegos⁠ about her and her husband’s passion to show New Mexicans that the dishes they grew up eating can still be enjoyed on a fully plant-based diet.

Nizhoni Farms⁠ is a Native-owned vegetable and animal farm founded to promote food sovereignty in tribal communities and underserved groups and areas. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we visit Los Lunas to chat with owners Julianna and John Reece about the diversity of their agricultural operation and the role of cultural reclamation and education on their farm. 

Lilia Avila is a graduate of ⁠Three Sisters Kitchen⁠’s Food Business Training Program and now helps other entrepreneurs launch small food businesses in Albuquerque. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk about learning on the job, building her own Fiesta On the Go products, and how she’s using that experience to guide the next generation of food makers. 

Project Feed the Hood⁠ is dedicated to bringing food literacy into classrooms and bringing students out to green spaces through collaborations with schools and the community, which has led to the creation of over seventy school gardens and green spaces across New Mexico. In this episode, we visit the farm in southeast Albuquerque and chat with the team currently working the land, lead food justice organizer Zia Martinez, and site manager Anton Becker-Stumpf.

Rebecca Freeman delivers stunning desserts at ⁠Coyote Cafe⁠ and ⁠Santacafé⁠, defined by refined artistry, imagination, and years of experience. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we dive into her inspiration, her favorite flavor combinations, baking at high altitude, and why dessert is always worth ordering.

Lost Cultures Tea Bar⁠ is located in the heart of the Sawmill District in Albuquerque, and they prove not only that a good mixed drink is possible without alcohol, but that a good social space is equally possible without it. In this episode, we talk with Ryan Brown about creating nonalcoholic drinks inspired by different cuisines and ingredients. 

Ray Naranjo of Manko: Native American Fusion uses modern and ancestral cooking techniques, pushing the limits of what is known, unknown, and forgotten about the Indigenous food cultures of North America. In this episode, we talk with Naranjo about the years of kitchen experience that brought him to his work today.

When Liz Gaylor opened ⁠tiny grocer ABQ⁠ in 2020, her goal was simple: make it easier for people to eat local every day. Stocked with New Mexico-sourced meats, dairy, grains, produce, and herbs along with locally roasted coffee, her small shop has become a hub for community and connection. In this episode, we discuss the realities of running a neighborhood grocery store and how her café and prepared foods are helping to make eating local more accessible to everyone.

Kosmos Restaurant & Astropub, housed in a 1930s-era warehouse in Albuquerque’s Wells Park neighborhood, opened its doors in 2018. In this episode, we talk with owner Jerry Miller and head chef Cheyne Bishop, who together have created an eclectic dining experience that goes far beyond typical bar food.

Sean Sheehan started chasing his dream of becoming a vintner in his own backyard ten years ago—and his home is still the heart of his operation today. In this episode, we talk about Sheehan Winery’s growth over the past decade, the science behind winemaking, and the push to put New Mexico wines on the map alongside Napa and the Willamette Valley.

With more than 120 varieties of heirloom fruits, vegetables, and grains, in addition to milk goats, laying hens, sheep, rabbits, and geese, Chispas Farm is the embodiment of diversified agriculture in Albuquerque’s South Valley. In this episode, we talk with farm manager Casey Holland, who has been with Chispas since 2017, about mentorship and building a legacy farm.

NOSA Restaurant & Inn sits at the end of a secluded gravel road in Ojo Caliente. As the sole chef and innkeeper on duty, Graham Dodds preps, cooks, plates, and, often, checks guests in, all while tending to whatever is simmering on the stove. In this episode of 5-Minute Fridays, we talk with Dodds about the inspiration behind his multicourse prix fixe menu, which changes not only with the seasons but every weekend of the year.

Chris and Yana Whitson are the owners of ⁠Farm to You by Bomvida⁠. They’re passionate about bringing you 100 percent local products at their three locations in Belen, Albuquerque, and Grants. In this episode, we talk with Chris about why supporting local businesses is so important. He shares how spending just ten dollars a week on local goods can make a big difference in our economy and how their market is helping seventy local producers get fair prices for their products. 

Ihatov Bread and Coffee⁠ opened its doors in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill in 2020 and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. In this episode, we interview the husband-and-wife team, Nobu Mizushima and Yuko Kawashimo, who embrace a zen approach to baking, delivering happiness in every loaf of bread and pastry. We discuss how the flow of water parallels the art of baking and the importance of being able to respond to ever-changing circumstances. 

Andrea Romero and Sage Hagan of ⁠Sile Patures⁠ are first-generation farmers with New Mexico roots, building their dream from the ground up. In this episode, Sage shares his passion for sustainable agriculture and ethical animal husbandry, and we talk about the wins and losses that come along with a small ranch operation.

Tina Archuleta is the owner and chef of ⁠Itality Plant Based Foods⁠, a vegan restaurant dedicated to environmentally sustainable business practices. In this episode, we speak with Tina about her deep connection to growing food, food processing, and cooking. She shares how she incorporates her cultural heritage into the menu using Indigenous ingredients.

Los Poblanos Botanical Spirits⁠ released their first bottles of gin in 2022. In this episode, we chat with head distiller Jamie Lord and distillery sales manager Drake Tyler about the development of their gin and what makes it unique in the world of spirits. Hint: It might be the lavender. We also explore the history and ethos of Town & Ranch, the distillery’s headquarters.