The Santa Fe Farmers Market has been recognized as one of the top local markets in the country and is a popular spot for locals and visitors during its Saturday and Tuesday market days. After polling local restaurants, an additional market day was selected to better serve busy Santa Fe chefs wanting to support the Santa Fe Alliance's growing Farm to Restaurant initiative.
Beginning on June 24, 2010, the Santa Fe Farmers Market will be open on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. to allow chefs, and the public, to shop for locally produced foods. In addition, the Thursday markets will feature Cook With the Chef from 5:30 to 6:30, when Santa Fe chefs prepare and share a signature dish made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Cook with the Chef takes place each Thursday through September 30. Fifteen of Santa Fe's best known chefs will take part, talking about their recipes, their choice of local food sources, preparing a dish, and answering questions.
Cook with the Chef is just part of the Santa Fe Alliance Farm to Restaurant project, which was recently honored with the Sustainable Santa Fe Award for best Food System Project. The Farm to Restaurant project highlights the relationship between chefs and New Mexico farmers, bringing together Santa Fe restaurants that are committed to supporting regional farmers by purchasing sustainably grown produce, meat, poultry, eggs and other food products.
The project was also given a USDA grant from the Farmers Market Promotion Program to fund a value-chain approach to a food distribution pilot project, further linking farmers with the Santa Fe community. The value chain approach insures farmers receive a fair market price while restaurants-and their customers-receive the freshest of local ingredients.
Cook with the Chef schedule at the Santa Fe Farmers Market
June 24 - Michael Giese, Flying Star Cafe
July 1 - Peyton Young, Harry's Roadhouse
July 8 - Carmen Rodriguez, Bishop's Lodge
July 15 - Andy Barnes, Dinner for Two
July 22 - James Campbell Caruso, La Boca
July 29 - Louis Moskow, 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar
August 5 - Sancho Soeiro, Dish n' Spoon Café & Gifts
August 12 - Rocky Durham, SF School of Cooking
August 19 - Lorin Parrish, BODY of Santa Fe
August 26 - Roland Richter, Joe's Restaurant
September 2 - Patrick Lambert, Cowgirl BBQ & Western Grill
September 9 - George Gundrey, Atrisco Café and Bar
September 16 - Patrick Gharrity, La Casa Sena
September 23 - Jennifer Nelson, Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe
September 30 - Ahmed Obo, Jambo Café
October 7 - Megan Tucker, Amavi
The Santa Fe Alliance is a non-profit coalition of independent businesses, organizations and community members dedicated to supporting locally based economic development and preserving a strong sense of community. www.santafealliance.com