The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has named Chef Becky Windels of FARMesilla in Las Cruces and Chef Julian Griego of Albuquerque’s Street Food Institute to its third class of NEW MEXICO–Taste the Tradition Chef Ambassadors. These chefs will represent New Mexico agriculture and cuisine at various events across the state.
Launched in 2018, the program highlights chefs who use local ingredients and advocate for farmers, ranchers, and food artisans. Ambassadors participate in events, trade shows, cooking demonstrations, and community outreach that emphasize the role of agriculture in daily life.
“Chefs Becky and Julian exemplify the values of our Chef Ambassador Program by showcasing the best of New Mexico agriculture in their kitchens and communities,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. “They are masters of their craft and champions of our farmers and ranchers who make it possible to put local food on the table.”
Chef Becky Windels has spent decades building her culinary career. She focuses on using fresh, New Mexico-grown products and aims to inspire others to do the same while celebrating local producers.
Chef Julian Griego is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with over 20 years of experience. He combines fine dining skills with education by training future food entrepreneurs at Street Food Institute. He emphasizes sourcing ingredients locally, which benefits both his students and producers throughout New Mexico.
