5-Minute Fridays

Emigdio Ballon is the Agricultural Director of Tesuque Pueblo and has championed sustainable agriculture and seed preservation at ⁠Tesuque Pueblo⁠, where his leadership has helped restore traditional growing practices. A tireless advocate and educator, he supports Indigenous farmers and seed keepers throughout the Southwest and South America. In this episode, we share fresh asparagus and explore the deep relationship between land, culture, and resilience. 

Sugar Nymphs Bistro began as a collaboration between Ki Holste and her partner, Kai Harper, when they resettled in Peñasco in 2001. In this episode, we talk about community, high-altitude baking, the “tinies,” and being seen.

Keegan Tranquillo knows he wants to be outside for a living, and from birding to farming, he has found a path to fulfilling that dream. In this episode, we are talking about the seasons, the extremes of farming in the Southwest, adventurous eating, supporting farmworkers, and the birds.

From creating nutritional labels to helping open a restaurant with Hue-Chan Karels, Erica Tai has learned by leading in the kitchen. In this episode, we are talking about Alkemē’s culture-to-table concept, taking inspiration from Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Hawaiian Pacific Rim cuisine, and having fun while creating whatever they can dream up.

Ojo Conejo has big dreams for the future in Ojo Sarco. In this episode, we are talking about homesteading, manure, Rose the dairy cow, fresh milk, and feeding the community.

Clark Case was pivotal in conceptualizing and establishing a local market in 2003 and became an employee in 2020. In this episode, we are talking about how the Dixon Co-op puts $400,000 back into the community annually by creating jobs, buying from local producers, and paying rent to the library.

Loose Leaf Farm is a small half-acre operation in the Village of Los Ranchos. In this episode, we are talking with co-owners Mark and Sarah Robertson about community, CSAs, tools, leasing land, dwarf goats, limited-edition tomatoes, and all the things that make this little farm go.

On top of the story behind Left Turn Distilling, we get a history lesson on prohibition, cocktails, and Old Tom Gin. In this episode, we talk with owner and distiller Brian Langwell, who has been chasing Bugs Bunny since he was a kid and, along the way, found his way into spirits. Left Turn is the oldest distillery in Albuquerque and is creating more than your typical gin, whiskey, and vodka.

From the diverse beer list to the posh pub food to the dynamic atmosphere, Steel Bender Brewyard has become a community staple in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. In this episode, we sit down with some of the brew crew: Ben Lenetsky, head brewer, and co-owners Ethan and Shelby Chant. They tell us all about their brewing process and how they embrace the industrial aspects of “steel benders” throughout their brand.

How does an Italian find himself opening a winery in Ruidoso? Jasper Riddle of ⁠Noisy Water Winery⁠ tells us about his path to becoming a vintner and prolific wine producer, grape grower, and grape buyer. Riddle also shares how he and his town are faring as they recover from the 2024 South Fork Fire. 

From TVI to CIA, Randall Watson has had quite the journey to get to his position as pastry chef at ⁠Farm & Table⁠. He creates pastries and desserts that are low in sugar but high in flavor. In this episode, we chat with Watson about the changing season and the ingredients that inspire what is on the dessert menu. 

For nine years, ⁠Quarter Celtic Brewpub⁠ has been serving up elevated bar food and award-winning beer. In this episode, we talk with with owner Ror McKeown, head brewer Brady McKeown, and head chef Niccolas Lux. They emphasize they are “quarter” Celtic, so you won’t just find outstanding fish and chips and shepherd’s pie on the menu but also fried green chile strips and poutine.

⁠New Mexico Ferments⁠ kombucha is served in more than 130 bars, restaurants, cafés, spas, shops, and yoga studios around the state, and now they have expanded to the shelves of Albertsons. In this episode, we talk with Kara Deyhle about scaling up to meet demands and how they keep the same quality. And we can’t chat about kombucha without talking about the SCOBYs that make it possible.

In this episode, Chef Myles Lucero talks about the ingredients that go into his dishes, and we discuss how Native ingredients are staples used in Italian, French, or any other cuisine. His commitment to working with Native people on his team at ⁠Prairie Star Restaurant⁠ means that someday, we might see more Indigenous-owned and -run restaurants. 

The Indigenous Farm Hub engages Indigenous communities in creating a network of farmers and families to strengthen local and sustainable food systems. In this episode, we are talking with Alan Brauer and Rebecca Grashuis about the impactful work they are doing and the search for the 1 percent who will be our farmers of the future.

La Boca creates a tapas experience that makes you feel like you have been transported to the streets of Spain. In this episode, we talk with Chef James Campbell Caruso about tapas culture, travel to Spain, music, and sherries and how they play out at his restaurant.

Eliza Esparza is the badass chef leading the team at Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar. She has worked at Farina for fourteen years and built a team that she calls family. A wizard with pizza, she also cures and smokes meats, ferments veggies, and does everything from scratch in her kitchen.

This thirty-year-old production bakery where every pastry and pie is handmade is just getting started. In addition to being found on grocer’s shelves around the state and running a café in Santa Fe, the Chocolate Maven Bakery & Cafe has opened a hot new night spot, Unit B. Featuring husband-and-wife team and owners Dharm Skotting-Segal and Cassie Ramos and their daughter Harirai Khalsa.

What makes a great cocktail bar? The vibes, the drinks, and, of course, the bartender. Mary Francis Cheeseman has been serving customers in Albuquerque at The Copper Lounge and Los Conejos for four years.  As a certified sommelier, she brings a unique aspect to her role as a bartender and storyteller.

Street Food Institute has been helping launch food entrepreneurs around the state since 2014, and they are preparing for a big move in late 2024 to the historic Barelas neighborhood. In this episode, we are chatting about the tenacity and growth of this mighty nonprofit. Featuring executive director Tina Garcia-Shams.

We are checking in with the creative minds behind Albuquerque’s Apothecary Lounge. Not only are the bar’s 360-degree views of the city stunning, but their creative cocktails are fanciful and tasty. Featuring Jake Larragoite, the hotel’s director of food and beverage, and lead server Nora Garcia.

These rock stars empower food entrepreneurs to innovate, grow, and support the local food economy. Featuring Hilary Kilpatric and Andrea Abedi, the founders of The Kitchen Table Santa Fe.

We are speaking with a farmer, a vintner, and a coffee roaster dish on what makes The Farm Stand a little slice of heaven in Corrales. Featuring Elan Silverblatt-Buser of Silver Leaf Farms, Rick Hobson of Milagro Vineyards, and Zach Smith of Candlestick Coffee Roasters.

We get the scoop on all the delightful flavors being whipped up at an ice cream shop in Midtown Albuquerque. Featuring Dimitri Eleftheriou of Heidi’s Jam Factory and Ice Cream Shop.

This week, we are talking with the kings of comfort food and getting into the good, the bad, and the ugly (and yes, maybe we even shed some tears). Featuring Mike Mondragon of Mighty Mike’s Meats and Mike White of High Point Grill & Taproom and 505 Food Fights.