James Beard Foundation - "Best Chef - Southwest" Semifinalist - 2022 Archives - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog

Kwok’s Bistro – Reno, Nevada

Gil Garduno — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:01:44 +0000

While some foodies chase restaurants featured on Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives, I’m not a Fieri Fanatic (or Guy Groupie, if you prefer). Not every restaurant featured on his Food Network program ranks very high on my list. I am, however, an unabashed follower of restaurants which earn James Beard Foundation (JBF) honors. Over the years the JBF judges have selected truly worthy restaurants and chefs for accolades. Strict criteria and a diligent vetting process ensures awards are granted only to those exemplifying the JBF mission: “to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all…

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La Guelaguetza – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil Garduno — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:39:00 +0000

“I am tenacious. And I love to eat. I go into the field and see some delectable things they’re cooking, wild plants perhaps, and think, ‘Oh my God, I have to write about this.’ I just think it’s insatiable curiosity. To me, life is a continuous process of learning.” ~Diana Kennedy As an essayer of the Land of Enchantment’s culinary condition–primarily as it’s expressed by its restaurants–I’ve always marveled at the passion and appetite of Diana Kennedy who built a lifelong career by compiling, publishing and teaching indigenous Mexican recipes. Just as Julia Child reduced the nuances and inflections of French cuisine and culinary techniques for home cooks, Diana introduced home cooks to highly developed, often centuries-old culinary traditions they…

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JAMBO CAFE – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Gil Garduno — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 06:01:44 +0000

Growing up in the 60s–the dark ages before the Internet was even a glimmer in Al Gore’s eyes and google–then spelled “googol”– represented an very large number (currently being approached by build back better spending)–even precocious children like me derived most of our knowledge of Africa from National Geographic magazines and Tarzan movies. We thought Africa was one large monolithic country comprised solely of stark, expansive deserts or lush, mysterious jungles. Africa’s indigenous people, we believed, had to compete for food with lions, tigers and hyenas, oh my. Though Africa was called “the Dark Continent,” it was truly our knowledge which was in the dark, obfuscated by stereotypes and misconceptions. The 1966 debut of Star Trek helped eliminate some of…

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