Years ago, when Ben was a student at St. John’s College, he saw Roqué making fajitas in the Santa Fe Plaza and thought, “That looks like so much fun – getting to chat with people, cook for them, make them happy – when I retire, that’s what I want to do.” Then he went into movement work. After burning out in 2022, he thought: “Why am I forcing myself to wait until retirement to do what I want to do?”, and started doing popups at parties. After a few twisty-turny years, Spirit led him back to Santa Fe to start El Guajolote (Spanish for "turkey", transliterated from Nahuatl).

El Guajolote is the original turkey taco: confit dark meat or smoked white meat, salsa macha, onion, and cilantro on a fresh corn tortilla, served with refreshing aguas frescas like watermelon-rose, strawberry-shiso, and mango-lemon verbena.

He often gets asked, “Why turkey?”; the brief version is that turkey is a special bird that deserves more respect than it gets, and that it symbolizes the vision of all peoples coming together to share food and live in harmony. Ask him in person to get the full version =)

For now, you can find El Guajolote at special events around Santa Fe, and behind the gates at Los Alamos National Labs; next stop is the Plaza! Follow on Instagram @elguajolotetacos.

monday monday is a provisioning service from two lifelong food enthusiasts dedicated to hedonistic hospitality: the belief that pleasure, joy, and connection are essential for a well-lived life. Eve Cohen and Dana Berge met in 2013 and fell in love over an Early Girl tomato upside down cake. monday monday is how they’ve eaten at home, together, and with guests, for over a decade.

Maddie Burton is a former financial planner who changed careers in order to retrain in boulangerie and viennoiserie—aka "delicious bread and buttery breakfast pastries"—at Ferrandi Paris. Now, she's bringing her bakery experience at Mamiche in Paris and Mille here in Santa Fe to Atomic Bakehouse: a preorder-only, pop-up bakery that specializes in Danish-inspired pastries.

Sign up for text alerts for future drops at hotplate.com/atomicbakehouse for a little taste of Copenhagen in the high desert!

IG | @atomicbakehouse

Atomic Bakehouse Website

Sebree (Micheal) is the owner and baker behind Letters from Willette, a Southern baked goods company inspired by family and tradition. While a culinary institute can teach technique, it cannot teach the love or purpose behind baking — lessons Sebree learned from his grandmother, Willette.

Known in the family as “Dear Mother,” Willette sent each child and grandchild a handwritten birthday letter in beautiful cursive, always accompanied by their favorite baked treat. Whether it traveled to Nashville, Tennessee or Paris, France, the message was the same: you are loved, you come from something.

That tradition became the inspiration for Letters from Willette.

Drawing from recipes passed down through generations — from great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and aunties — Sebree bakes classic Southern comforts like chess pie, pot pies, chicken gravy and biscuits, hummingbird cake, and more.

His kitchen prayer remains simple:
“Eggs, butter, sugar. Cook for the people who love you, and love the people for whom you cook. Otherwise, just drape your rag across the kitchen sink.”

Letters From Willette contact:

sebreesebree@gmail.com 

646.945.0770

Dragonfly Tea House is a small-batch kitchen focused on thoughtful, seasonal meals and handcrafted teas. Inspired by the flavors and traditions of New Mexico, our menu blends comfort with freshness using quality ingredients and careful preparation. Each week we offer rotating meal prep menus designed to make nourishing, home-style food simple and accessible for busy households.

IG | @beverly.dragonflyteahouse

Dragonfly Tea House Website

Kats Karamel Confections is owned and operated by Kathleen Dillingham. She launched this branch of her business in June 2024, beginning as a creative experiment combining Sweet Caramel with Spicy Apicklelypse hot sauce. What started as a single innovative idea has since grown into a lineup of more than 40 unique flavors.

Kathleen specializes in gourmet caramel popcorn, but her offerings extend far beyond that. Her product line also includes cookie pies, stuffed cookies, brownies, truffles, pet treats, and fiber art creations. She is deeply passionate about crafting products she is proud to share and is committed to quality, creativity, and bold flavor combinations.

Kathleen is excited to continue expanding her presence in the community and experimenting with new flavors.

IG | @katskoziez

Email: katskoziez@gmail.com

ARAGON 100 was born as a gourmet dressing brand with a strong, authentic identity deeply connected to Spanish heritage. Its essence is rooted in a family recipe passed down through generations, created by Baldomero Revueltas, a cook in the Spanish naval fleet during World War II. This true story gives the brand an emotional, cultural, and gastronomic value that sets it apart in the market.

ARAGON 100 LLC represents tradition, character, and bold flavor. It is a dressing designed to enhance the taste of already cooked foods—especially chicken, meats, and fish—applied directly at the end as a master finishing touch. Its recommended preparation—gently heated using a bain-marie method to achieve a smoother, more fluid texture—reinforces its artisanal and gourmet concept.

Christianna, the Founder of Tia Coco grew up off the grid in Montana eating organic natural food. Her mom wouldn't let her eat most regular food or candy so she used to sneak Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. She ended up thinking it was too silly to keep sneaking junk food so she decided to start creating healthy versions of all the regular candy with natural sweeteners and ingredients.

As she sampled the treats to her friends, people started wanting to buy them more and more. She spent years perfecting recipes, made chocolate for a few Cafes and had Tia Coco in 40 different stores between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

She ended up getting burnt out and tried to close the business down but people wouldn't stop trying to find Tia Coco chocolate.

With lots of help and the help of The Kitchen Table she is able to start making and selling chocolate again, hoping to get back into some stores in 2026 and continuing to bring awareness of health, dessert and chocolate made with real ingredients that you can enjoy every day.

Tia Coco’s Website

IG | @tiacocohealthychocolate

ZEZEBRA DOG is a Hot Dog Cart on the Historic Plaza in Downtown Santa Fe, run by Aidan Doyle.

From Organic All Beef Hot Dogs and Smoked Sausages with all the fixin’s, to Philly Cheesesteaks or Special of the Month Sandwiches, this cart grills everything to order your way. Originally from California, Aidan has worked in kitchens in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and in Santa Fe.

Having grown up visiting his family here in New Mexico, he eventually transplanted, and has made his home here in Santa Fe for over ten years. This ten year dream for a food cart has finally blossomed and landed him here in the heart of Santa Fe on the Plaza with ZEZEBRA DOG Sausages and Sandwiches! Get Ya’ Hot Dogs Here!

IG | @zezebradog

BRASAS was born from our passion for fire and the grill. As Argentinians in Santa Fe, we felt the city needed a place where burgers take the spotlight: simple, straightforward, and always made with quality ingredients, kissed by the flame.

Our style is street-driven and uncomplicated. A juicy burger, rustic seasoned fries, and the flavor only the grill can bring. We’re not reinventing anything — just taking a classic to the next level.

At BRASAS we believe in honest flavor. Every bite is meant to be real, with no shortcuts, crafted with passion and made to share.

IG | @brasas_santa_fe

Joanna Becker owns and operates RubyMac's Coffee -- a mobile coffee business rooted in Santa Fe and inspired by her maternal grandparents, Ruby and Mac. Their spirit of community and adventure lives on in every drink she serves. 

RMC offers exclusive, small-batch roasted coffee alongside a selection of homemade syrups and thoughtfully curated seasonal menus for festivals, parties, and events. The goal is simple: to share coffee that is delicious, special and full of community--just like the legacy behind the name. 

IG | @rubymacscoffee

FB | RubyMac’s Coffee

RubyMac’s Website

Introducing Green Chile Crisp, a new condiment lovingly crafted by Lorraine Chow, a native of the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles.

After moving to Santa Fe in 2023, Lorraine became enchanted by New Mexico's iconic green chiles and sought to incorporate them into something that reflected both her Chinese heritage and newfound love for the region's flavors. The result is a unique twist on the traditional Chinese chili crisp. 

Infused with the fiery heat of habaneros, bird's-eye chilis, and the smoky depth of New Mexico's signature green chiles, this condiment packs a punch that spice lovers will crave. Each spoonful is a savory, umami, aromatic journey, with layers of herbs and spices, a pop of zesty orange, and a satisfying crunch from pistachios and sesame seeds. Roasted sesame oil lends a deep nuttiness, while the crispy-garlic, shallots, and ginger add delightful texture and flavor.

Transform your eggs, vegetables, rice, soups, and more into a celebration of culinary cultures.

IG | @greenchilecrisp

Green Chile Crisp Website

Muy Chingon Creations is the result of a seed planted by two collaborators, Joe Kierst and Roxanne Sanchez in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of Taos County. Their vision was to create medicinal food for the people. They grow the one and only land race Garlic of Penasco, NM and choose only the finest local produce to create ferments, pickles and much more. From Black Garlic to Fermented Chili Sauce everything is locally grown with love. Armed with these products, they are bound and determined to bring the food of the land to the hearts and souls of “the gente”.

IG | @muy_chingon_creations

Santa Fe Popcorn Company is the brainchild of Jess and Joe Thurman, partners in life and in business. Their love for popcorn is matched only by their love for New Mexico’s one-of-a-kind culinary traditions. So decided to blend the two: handcrafted gourmet popcorn with a Santa Fe twist, inspired by the region’s iconic tastes and festive spirit.

Their beloved pup Wolfie, their oldest and most loyal sidekick, became the face of their brand—a reminder that this venture is all about joy, warmth, and bringing people together.

At its core, Santa Fe Popcorn Co. is a labor of love: for their city, for each other, and for building something that spreads happiness. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Jess and Joe hope every bag of popcorn brings you a taste of the magic that made them fall in love with Santa Fe in the first place.

IG | @santafepopcorn

Last Call Kombucha was Inspired by childhood summers in the Dominican Republic, where tamarind (nature’s “sour candy”) was a daily treat, Kiana launched Last Call Kombucha in March 2024. This non-alcoholic, smooth, and effervescent fermented black tea is infused with tamarind and crafted with organic, locally sourced ingredients when possible.

Made without pasteurization or preservatives, it retains living probiotics, embodying Kiana’s vision of a beverage that can be enjoyed in any setting.

When she’s not in Kombucha land, Kiana is a Food Educator, empowering kids to learn how to cook through her work with Cooking With Kids.

IG | @lastcall_sf

Out Of This World Bagel has been a lifetime dream for Danny Ebenstein. Originally from Vermont, Danny moved to Santa Fe with the intention to work as a physical therapist. However, Danny could not resist the prospects of starting a bagel business, especially knowing there was a lack of bagel options in and around the area.

Wholesale bagels in Santa Fe, NM. Hand rolled, boiled, and baked

Business inquiries ——> ootwbagel@gmail.com

•bulk orders

•private orders

•catering

IG I @ootwbagel

OOTWB Website

Apicklelypse is a local hot sauce company for the end of times. David Ahern-Seronde creates name-worthy hot sauces that regularly rack up awards around the country. He sources ingredients locally to create a variety hot sauces that represent New Mexico and Santa Fe.

IG | @apicklelypse505

Apicklelypse Website

Donut Vision is devoted to creating donuts that artfully blend the beloved dessert pastry with traditional Southeast Asian flavors. The creation of Donut Vision is a tribute to the tradition of Cambodian immigrants entering the donut industry on America’s West Coast. They keep the amazing quality of their foods, by making small & handmade batches.

They provide catering services for private events and distinctive offerings for local markets. They aim to excite and inspire by adding a delightful new perspective to Santa Fe’s dessert landscape.

IG | @donut.vision

Donut Vision Website

Inspired by traditional family meals, Sunday at Grams offers flavorful, convenient meals and catering. Whether it's a casual gathering or a corporate event, we'll feed the masses

FB | Sunday at Grams

Sunday at Grams Website

In 2017, after many years of working in food service, Ellis quit their job to start Major Acre Farm outside of New Orleans, Louisiana.  While the primary focus was growing vegetables for market, a few spectacular products were born from producing too many fruits and veggies. One of those popular items was hot sauce.  After relocating to the Santa Fe area from south Louisiana in 2021, Ellis is bringing their Louisiana Style Hot Sauce back to life using a blend of New Mexico Chile and Cayenne peppers to create seasonal batches.

These select pepper varieties are grown and harvested at Major Acre Farm in northern New Mexico. The hot sauce is fermented and aged for a perfect balance of heat and vinegar. It’s great on everything!

Major Acre Farm Website

Lotus Farms specializes in pastured poultry & forested pork. Organically and humanely raised. They will be producing stocks with ingredients from their local farm! These stocks are so versatile and a pantry staple!

IG | @lotus.farms