By james art 
Fernando Ruiz is the executive chef at Escondido Restaurant in Santa Fe, which opened less than a year ago and offers people a second chance at life.
SANTA FE, NM — Less than a year after opening his first restaurant, a Santa Fe chef has been named a James Beard Award semifinalist.
The James Beard Foundation has named Fernando Ruiz, the executive chef and owner of Escondido in Santa Fe, as a semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southwest.
This recognition highlights Ruiz’s talent and the dining experience he has created in Escondido. The restaurant has become a destination for elevated Mexican cuisine.
It has also become a place for people to get a second chance at life.
Ruiz offers hands-on training to inmates through cooking classes. Once prisoners are released, they receive support to create a CV and mentoring so they can find work and reintegrate into society.
A former inmate himself, Ruiz became a three-time Food Network champion and even defeated Bobby Flay. He partnered with Ralph Martinez in teaching classes to inmates. They say they envision Escondido as part of that mission to help people get back on their feet.
Here are New Mexico’s other nominees for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest:
- Christian Pontija, Sasela, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Katia Rojas, Buen Provecho, Albuquerque, NM
- Fernando Ruiz, Escondido, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Sean Sinclair, Level 5, Albuquerque, NM
- Joseph Wrede, Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Santa Fe, New Mexico