Cooking Up a Storm with New Mexico Magazine – Read the full article here. 

The James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the food world, and New Mexico’s top chefs have put the state on the national culinary map.

Jaye Wilkinson: Farm & Table, Albuquerque Looks like owner Cherie Montoya Austin made a good call on her second chef. Chef Jaye, a Santa Fe native, is a graduate of the Seattle Culinary Academy, the first in the country to have incorporated sustainability as a formal part of its curriculum. Wilkinson is making great seasonal meals nightly from the restaurant’s 1½-acre farm and other local sources. 8917 Fourth St. NW; (505) 503-7124; farmandtablenm.com

Ka‘aimaina Ravey: Red Sage, Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, Pojoaque Chef Ka‘ai, a native of Hawaii, garnered raves for his simple but inventive cooking as the opening chef at Albuquerque’s Farm & Table. To further develop his career, he wanted to work in a larger venue, and seems to be settling in well at this Pojoaque Pueblo–owned resort with a creative American menu that includes touches from the Southwest and his island home. His slow-roasted pork belly with miso caramel sauce was among the top dishes I ate in 2012. 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Pojoaque; (505) 819-2056;buffalothunderresort.com