Red and Green: New Mexico’s Food Scene is On Fire – June, 2026
NEW MEXICO SENATOR HONORED BY JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION: Although the Land of Enchantment’s chefs and restaurants were shut out in the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 honor roll, Senator Ben Ray Lujan was named a James Beard Impact Award honoree. Impact Awards recognize people who work to push for standards that create a more equitable, sustainable and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers and consumers. Luján was honored for his work leading Senate Democrats in introducing bipartisan legislation to prevent funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) from being withheld during the government shutdown in 2025. Late in the year, Luján also led the caucus in introducing the Restoring Food Security for American Farmers and Families Act, which was designed to repeal cuts to the SNAP program passed into law as part of a Republican spending bill last summer. JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION (JBF) HONORS SANTA FE CHEF: Although Chef Marc Quiñones, executive chef at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, was not among honorees celebrated in Chicago during the Foundation’s 2026 awards presentation, the talented and acclained chef earned a significant honor. …