RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR

Suzanna and Lawrence Becerra have been awarded 2022 “Restaurateur of the Year” by the New Mexico Restaurant Association. Co-owned with James Beard Award winner Chef Fernando Olea (Sazon) and Michelin Star Chef Cristian Pontiggia (Sassella), each restaurant has rocketed to the top of their field over the last couple of years. The following is a quick Q & A with Suzanna and Lawrence….

What was the driving force that called to you to get into the highly competitive restaurant industry?

Suzanna and I love to travel and food has always been a passion of ours. When we moved to Santa Fe in 2004, we were really enjoying the fine dining scene and were big fans of Fernando Olea, who then had a restaurant called Epazote. I had lived in Mexico City, so I was familiar with Mexican fine dining, and I thought, “Wow, this guy is the real deal.” Time went by and one day Fernando called me and, knowing that I had a background in finance, asked if I knew any investors who might be interested in opening a restaurant. I said, “Hold that thought!” So, we met and on the back of a napkin we put together a vision for a restaurant. We came up with the idea of opening a fine dining Mexican restaurant, specializing in tequila and mezcal. The location on Shelby Street was perfect and when Sazon opened, it was an almost immediate success.

Over the last couple of years, both Sassella and Sazon have become nationally recognized restaurants with foodies across the country. What do you owe their success to?

We had food that most people were not familiar with, but once they tasted it, they fell in love with it. There was a wide selection of high-end tequilas and mezcals which, once again, people didn’t know much about. The art on the walls, featuring Mexican artists, is part of our private collection and when you walk in the door you certainly don’t think you’re in Santa Fe. You could be in a restaurant in Mexico City. Fernando does what he does best, cooking great food and acting as a great host and it’s the same with Cristian at Sassella. He is an Italian master chef, has won all kinds of awards and has the same kind of warmth and charisma.

Sassella—True Italian Cuisine

In addition to working at two Michelin Star restaurants in Europe, Lombardy native Chef Cristian Pontiggia has received several awards from La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society. The Italian government recognizes him as a Master Chef, and he holds a culinary degree that certifies him as a Doctor of Enogastronomy.

Restaurant Logos/Awards

How have your backgrounds helped with the day-in day-out management of running two restaurants?

I started my career in banking and I’ve worked with some very large companies. I like to say I’m not really a restauranteur, I’m a finance guy. I knew nothing about the restaurant business, so I came to this with a fresh set of eyeballs and my experience taught me to do things a bit differently. Delegating is important and training is ongoing every single day. I run the business side and curate the wine lists and Suzanna takes care of the environment.

What were your initial thoughts being named “New Mexico Restauranteurs of the Year?”

We were both very surprised and very honored to receive that award. But while we were the recipients, all of our staff were really recipients of that award, because this isn’t something the two of us could do by ourselves. Everybody contributes and without them none of this would be possible.

How have you used your platform, Spinning Plates Group, to give back to the community that has supported you over the years?

Suzanna and I are associated with a number of different charities in town. Our main interest is in supporting charities that provide extra-curricular, educational activities for children K through 12. That is the main focus of our giving and of course the restaurants are a perfect platform for us to help other charities in their fundraising activities as well.

Sazon

Originally from Mexico City, Chef Fernando Olea, Best Chef of the Southwest 2022 James Beard Award Winner, has been enthralling diners in Santa Fe since 1991 with his unique interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Olea creates sophisticated flavors using Old Mexico’s indigenous and culinary traditions alongside ingredients from around the world. His menu is deliberately small, featuring fresh and locally sourced produce and meats when possible. Chef Olea is also 2022 New Mexico Chef of the Year.