ARTICLES/BLOGS
2022 ProStart Competition
Congratulations to the winners from the 19th Annual New Mexico ProStart Invitational. Carlsbad High School Culinary Team and Chaparral High School Management Team will be on their way to Nationals, May 6-8 in Washington, D.C.. The teams will compete against other...
Staff Training, Recycling & Taking the Food Waste Challenge
For the final week in our sustainability series, we tackle staff training , recyling and how to take the food waste challenge. Training Staff and Ensuring Smooth Collections Locate collection containers (a 5-gallon bucket, “Slim Jim” container or 64-gallon cart) and...
Diverting Food Waste for Composting
Continuing in our sustainabilty series, this week we explore diverting food for composting and what it could bring to the table for your restaurant. Once all appropriate food has been donated, a food-generating facility can set aside food wastes for compost. The...
Donating Excess Food Waste to Serve the Hungry
In a study conducted in 2010 by the NM Association of Food Banks entitled “Hunger in New Mexico”, it was found to be a myth that the only people seeking food assistance are without work or homeless. The study found that 32% of households seeking emergency food...
Food Diversion and Environmental Health Safety Practices
For week 2 of our sustainability series, we cover multiple ways to divert food waste that not only help impact your bottom line but also help serve your community. No matter if your business is collecting food waste for donation for human use, feeding animals, or for...
The Facts About Food Waste
For the next several weeks, NMRA will be running a series of blogs focused on sustainability in the food service industry to educate our community on how we can all do more to reduce food waste and make our industry more sustainable overall. According to EPA...
ERTC Guidance from Adesso Capital
The NMRA is taking proactive steps to ensure our member restaurants take full advantage of the federal pandemic assistance available to them. Maximizing the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) The ERC is a federal initiative to support efforts to keep employees on the...
Ed Pulsifer – La Fonda – Santa Fe
Celebrating 100 Years of Hospitality! Step into the past and experience the splendor of the American Southwest at La Fonda on the Plaza, the only Santa Fe New Mexico hotel situated on the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Start your vacation in Santa Fe and experience the...
Bahjat Shariff – Twisters – Albuquerque
Founded in 1998, Twisters has grown to 17 awesome locations centralized in New Mexico and is now expanding into Colorado with 2 restaurants! Twisters is a fast casual dining experience specializing in New Mexican foods with their famous red and green chile as well as...
Become a Featured Benefit
NMRA is proud to announce a great way to get your product or service to our Members. The Association's "Featured Benefits" will put your business in the spotlight! Do you have a great offer? In order to participate, you need to offer our members a significant discount...
In Memoriam of Sean Montano
To memorialize Sean Montano, NMRA is establishing a scholarship in his name to continue his tradition of teamwork and inclusivity.New Mexico’s Hospitality Industry has lost a leader and a friend. Sean Montano, long-time employee and manager of Monroe’s, has passed...
Survey of New Mexico Restaurants Paints Grim Picture
A recent survey of the New Mexico restaurant industry conducted in partnership with the National Restaurant Association has revealed troubling trends and highlighted a feeling of hopelessness that many are experiencing. According to the data, Business Conditions,...
2022 New Year Message from Carol Wight
Here is my New Year’s wish for NMRA Members and all of our brothers and sisters who show up every day to work in restaurants across the land of enchantment. Who would have thought that our industry would be turned upside down for two entire years? I want to thank all...
2021 Restaurateur of the Year
Jason and Deidra Vinson Yo Mama's Grill This year’s winners started early in the NM restaurant industry. One partner started as a dishwasher straight out of high school at Cattle Baron and eventually moved up to management at other restaurants. Years later, he’d...
Supply Discounts from Office Depot
Office Depot is offering discounts on your most used items, plus one time buys! Use it in the way that is easiest for your business! You can order online, pay at the store, or get a billable account. Save Money Discounts up to 80% off MSLP on hundreds of commonly...
2021 Chef of the Year
Mark Kiffin The Compound Restaurant - Santa Fe This year’s Superhero Chef has spent 45 years completely dedicated to the passion and craft of the table. For him, food is not about trying to create a new trend but perfecting what you are doing every day. He was...
2021 Restaurant Neighbor of the Year
Michael White - High Point Rustic Kitchen Albuquerque This year’s Restaurant Neighbor Superhero spearheads the charity Kitchen Kids Inc, which is in its 6th year of providing free cooking courses where kids work side-by-side with professionals. He is also the...
2021 Manager of the Year
Tai Ayers Ohori's Coffee Roasters - Santa Fe2021’s Manager of the Year winner has been in the industry for years. Starting at 15 at Santa Fe’s Haagen-Dazs. She moved up, including managing the Student Café in college. 20 years ago, she began Barista work at began...
NMRA 2021 Hospitality Industry Awards
2021 has been a year of learning and rebuilding. Our industry has faced unprecedented perils and a celebrations is in order. Every year we award the Manager of the Year, Chef of the Year, Restaurant Neighbor, and Restaurateur of the Year. We are not letting all of the...
In Memoriam of Tom Willis
Tom Willis’s Life Celebration will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Church of Albuquerque, 4001 Osuna Rd NE. The New Mexico restaurant industry has lost a titan with the passing of longtime association board member Tom Willis. Throughout...
