edible Announces Our 2016 Local Heroes
We recognize this group of amazing individuals and organizations for their work to create healthy, sustainable food systems in New Mexico. We determine these awards through reader nominations and a reader poll. The local food movement is a grassroots effort that often involves late nights, backbreaking work, dirty fingernails, and being a generally good sport. In an effort to showcase these individuals, organizations, and businesses for their work to build a stronger local economy and a robust local food system, each issue this year will spotlight several of the winners with interviews about the work they do.
Here, our readers share words on why these individuals and businesses should be nominated.
Ohori's Coffee Roasters
Best Beverage Artisan, Non-Alcoholic
“We’ve gone to Ohori’s since it was started as a quality fresh-roasted coffee place and have always appreciated their dark roasts. Ohori’s is local, lively, and well worth a visit.”
RASA Juice Bar
Best Cafe, Santa Fe
“There is none better. So much that is complex, always from scratch, with great talent for blending flavors and originality in taste and texture. One doesn’t miss the sugar, dairy, and gluten. They work magic here with ingredients and everything tastes better than any other version…ever. Truly. Their desserts are to die for. Their meals are scrumptious, the best in town. Beverages, smoothies, juices…divine. I really don’t want to eat anywhere else.”
Matt Yohalem
Best Chef, Santa Fe
“Chef Matt has devoted the last twenty years to sourcing as many local ingredients as he can as well as teaching at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, making donations to numerous charities and organizations. He is very involved within the community and Il Piatto has become the local favorite of many.”
Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute
Best Food Organization
“SFFMI helps preserve small farms in our community. The work they do strengthens Northern New Mexico’s agriculture and culture alike.”
Kaune's Neighborhood Market
Best Grocery Retailer
“Cheryl has been a pillar in the Santa Fe grocery scene for many years. She has elevated Kaune’s to a comfortable and upscale boutique market that offers the basics as well as new and unusual food products for foodies and non-foodies alike…and has a great wine department. She’s a conscientious employer and buys from local farm sources, as well. She’s an all-around great contributor to the local, edible food scene who deserves to be recognized for her efforts.”
Quinn Stephenson
Mixologist 2016
“Stephenson commands knowledge of spirits and flavor pairings. His ‘reverence for the ingredients’ inspires him to thoughtfully create signature cocktails that encourage locals to open their minds to something beyond the quintessential New Mexican tequila margarita.”
Santa Fe Spirits
Best Beverage Artisan, Alcoholic
“Santa Fe Spirits has the distinct aromas and flavors of the region. They use unique flavors of spirits that put New Mexico on the craft distillers map.”
Jonathan Perno
Best Chef, Albuquerque
“Jonathan Perno exemplifies field-to-fork cuisine. He works tirelessly to promote organic, sustainable food.”
Red Tractor Farm
Best Farm
“Red Tractor Farm is a woman-owned and -operated, small-scale sustainable farm in the South Valley of
Albuquerque that does a wonderful job involving and educating the community through their CSA, outreach events, farmers market, workshare program, and student internship program. Not only that, but they are friendly and welcoming to boot!”
Best Food Writer
Cheryl Alters Jamison
“Cheryl is an inspiration and truly supports the local food movement. She is the voice for New Mexico’s culinary culture.”
Vinaigrette
Best Restaurant, Albuquerque
“Erin Wade’s vision is sustainable, just like the produce she harvests everyday from Nambé. Three-quarters of Vinaigrette’s ingredients in peak season are from that single location, demonstrating her prowess as a farmer, not just as a restaurateur.”
Cheesemongers of Santa Fe
Best Specialty Retailer
“John Gutierrez passionately supports artisan dairies around the US, as well as local dairies and food producers in New Mexico, and showcases their products in the store.”
Best Cafe, Albuquerque
The Grove Cafe & Market
“The food is great quality and healthy. It is genuine deliciousness that is cared for and cooked properly. Everything exceeds your expectations. Organic, local, sustainably oriented, this place is amazing! I wish this piece of food heaven could be found everywhere!”
Old Windmill Dairy
Best Food Artisan
“Old Windmill Dairy’s artisan cheeses are something completely different from machine made. And Ed and Michael have been a big part in growing the local food community and economy in the state.”
Street Food Institute
Best Food Truck
“Empowering young people to succeed as culinary entrepreneurs creating a new wave in healthy, delicious food truck culture. Northern New Mexico’s Street Food Institute is the epitome of a community organization.”
Fire & Hops
Best Pub
“Charming, delicious gastropub in Santa Fe. This place has all the ingredients of the hippest, hoppiest gastropubs in New York City: a small, intimate, low-lit setting; a diverse and exciting beer, cider, and wine list; and, of course, delicious food.”
Radish & Rye
Best Restaurant, Santa Fe
“Radish & Rye works with over thirty local vendors from New Mexico. It takes an enormous amount of effort to coordinate so many different sources to create a cohesive menu. This kind of mission needs to be celebrated to honor R&R’s commitment to the local community.”
Michelle Franklin
Olla Award
“Michelle Franklin has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the importance of local, organic foods, to the needs of farmers, and to the communities that surround the farms. She makes sure that farmers can get all of their products to markets throughout New Mexico and assists in educating consumers in home and restaurant kitchens to the importance of buying locally grown organic foods and the importance to the whole community to pay a fair price for foods. She quietly makes a difference all over the state. She is truly an unsung hero who deserves recognition for all she does to bring great food to homes and businesses across New Mexico.”
