Awards and Accolades

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3-Time New Mexico Restaurant Association Champion 

6- Time Chef of the Year Finalist, NMRA

5- Time Restaurant Neighbor Finalist, NMRA (Philanthropy)

2- Time Restaurateur of the Year Finalist NMRA

2024 Best of the City Finalist: Best Chef

2024 Best of the City Finalist: Best Gourmet Burger

2024 Best of the City Finalist: Best Local Activist 

2024 New Mexico Entertainment Magazine Top Chef Winner

2024 Local Hero Award: Best Restaurant, Albuquerque - Edible New Mexico

2023 Champion of Food Network's "Supermarket Stakeout" with Alex Guarnaschelli

2023 New Mexico Faces of Diversity Champion - NMRA

2022 "Crayons and Canapes" Champion- Christina Kent Childhood Leaning Center

2022 Shamrock Foods "Fire it UP" Champion

2022 Best of the City Finalist: Best Gourmet Burger

2021 New Mexico Restaurant Neighbor Award Winner, NMRA (Philanthropy)

2021 Appeared on Food Network's "Guy's Grocery Games" with Guy Fieri

2021 New Mexico Restaurateur of the Year Finalist, NMRA

2021 Best of the City Winner: Best Chef

2021 Best of the City Finalist: Best Appetizer Menu

2021 Best of the City Finalist: Best Dessert Menu

2021 Best of the City Finalist: Best New Restaurant - Rustico Italian Kitchen

2020 Local Hero Award Winner: 505 Food Fights

2020 Best of the City Winner: Best Undiscovered Restaurant

2020 Best of the City Winner: Best Appetizer Menu

2020 Best of the City Winner: Best Fries

2020 Best of the City Finalist: Best Chef

2019 National Restaurant Neighbor New Mexico Philanthropist Winner, Nat. Restaurant Association

2019 Denver Pairsine Wine and Food Pairing: Judges Choice Champion

2019 Hot Plate Award Winner: ABQ Best Dessert

2019 Holman's for Autism Cook-off Winner: Judge's Choice Champion

2019 State Fair Winner: Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown

2019 Best of the City Winner: Best Chef

2018 Reader's Choice: Best Upscale Restaurant

2018 Reader's Choice: Most Supportive Business (Philanthropy) 

2018 Best of the City Winner: Best Destination Restaurant

2018 Best of the City Finalist: Best Chef

2018 New Mexico Chef of the Year Winner, NMRA

2017 Best of the City Winner: Best Undiscovered Restaurant

2017 Mac and Cheese Festival: Bronze Award Winner

2016 Rio Rancho Best of the City Winner: Best New Restaurant

2016 People’s Choice Award Winner: Best of Rio Rancho