AUGUST. 16 , 2011
Santa Fe, N.M. — Chef Michelle Roetzer has prepared her culinary delights
for two U.S. presidents, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and Mexican
president Vicente Fox as well. Now she will to do the honors for the third
and final event in a series to benefit Partners in Education and the City of
Santa Fe Arts Commission. “At the Artist’s Table: Rainmaker Dinner,” takes
place Tuesday, August 16 at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Roetzer is
joining forces with Native artist Ramona Sakiestewa to create an artful and
delectable evening in celebration of the Indian Market festivities.
Roetzer and Sakiestewa will bring together the Mexican and American
Southwest flavors that are born out of their own family cultures. Michelle’s
family history begins in the arid Mapimi desert south of Chihuahua, Mexico
with people known for their cultivation of desert squashes and succulent
melons. Ramona’s family has been based on the arid mesa-tops of Hopi in
northern Arizona where her grandfather described himself as a “sand farmer,”
coaxing his traditional garden out of the bottom of canyon sandscapes.
The icon for the “drought breaker” or “rainmaker” in the Hopi culture is the
dragonfly. The moth is the icon for richness and prosperity. Both of these
insects are known for their ability to find water and propagate plants in
the desert. Each supports the well being and bountiful harvest of
agriculture.
Born and raised in the American Southwest, Sakiestewa is a self-taught
weaver who has adapted techniques derived from her cultural past, dating to
prehistoric times of pueblo weaving. Her current portfolio includes
tapestry, clay prints, work-on-paper, and architectural design. Sakiestewa’s
work can be found in museums and private collections throughout the United
States and internationally.
“Both Michelle and Ramona, as a nod to prehistoric cultures that interacted
and traded goods from central Mexico to the Four Corner states, have
thoughtfully created this menu,” says Ruthanne Greeley, Partners in
Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools director. “Each dinner
is anchored around the wonderful festivals in Santa Fe. Ramona and Michelle
are creating a really special night for our guests.”
Several delectable courses, paired with the famous Van Duzer Pinot Noir,
showcase the collaborative native artistry of both the artist and chef, and
ancient and modern foods of the Americas. The wine is donated by the Van
Duzer Vineyards, a family-owned, sustainable winery in Oregon.
“At the Artist’s Table” pairs nationally-known Santa Fe artists with
celebrated, award-winning chefs who work together to create exquisite
evenings for the participants. The dinners explore the art and cuisine of
Santa Fe’s diverse cultures – all to benefit local education and the arts.
RAINMAKER DINNER MENU
Appetizers
Smoked trout on corn tortilla cups
Stuffed peapods with chipotle cheese
Gruet champagne
Starter
Flor de Calabazas con hongos w/goat cheese bechamel Van Duzer Estate Pino
Noir Rose
Salad
Honeyed squash with pepitas and micro radish greens and sunflower sprouts
Intermezzo
Lime granita
Entrée
Roasted Quail with pipian sauce
Roasted seasonal vegetable terrain
Smashed fingerling roasted potatoes
Portobello mushroom Pinchos (vegetarian option)
Wine
Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir
Dessert
Abuelita chocolate flan with burnt orange ice cream Van Duzer 2008 Vintner’s
Cuvee Pinot Noir
WHAT: AT THE ARTIST’S TABLE: RAINMAKER DINNER
Wine and appetizers will be served followed by a meal designed especially
for the evening. An extraordinary meal by chef Michelle Roetzer and
presentations by both Roetzer and Sakiestewa to benefit Santa Fe Partners in
Education program. Guests will enjoy one-on-one conversations with the
artist and chef throughout the dinner. In addition, each guest will take
home a beautiful print by Sakiestewa.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Santa Fe School of Cooking, 116 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM
87501
COST: $250 per person.
RESERVATIONS: Santa Fe School of Cooking, 505-983-4511
Proceeds from these events will benefit the Partners in Education Foundation
for the Santa Fe Public Schools and the Santa Fe Arts Commission Artist
Exhibit and Education Program. Partners in Education raises funds to
support Santa Fe’s public school teachers and students. The Arts Commission
nurtures and supports Santa Fe’s unique artistic and cultural heritage.
www.sfpartnersineducation.org
www.santafeschoolofcooking.com
