local heroes
Bocadillos BEST CAFE
An Interview with Chef Marie Yniguez On January 14, 2015 edible Santa Fe recognized as Local Heroes a group of amazing individuals and organizations for their work to create a healthy, sustainable food system in New Mexico. We determine these awards through reader nomination and a reader poll. The local food movement is a grassroots effort that often involves late nights, backbreaking work, getting your hands dirty,
Bocadillos, owned and operated by Chef Marie Yniguez and her partner Karla Arvizu, is a sandwich shop (soon with two locations) and catering company working with charter schools in the Albuquerque area to provide healthy, local, made-from-scratch meals to students for breakfast and lunch.
What inspired you to open Bocadillos? I was tired of working for everyone else’s dreams! So decided to open up my own business for my family and myself. My goal is to pass down the old traditions to younger generations so they might do the same.
What do you love most about your work, as it relates to local food? I love getting fresh food! The taste, look, and smell are so much more favorable. You know where it comes from, and you know it’s good for you. You benefit both by supporting your local farmers and in keeping your local community and yourself healthy!
Who inspires you? My family inspires me. My grandparents and parents have taught me to be a good person, to be compassionate, strong, and to do what is right no matter what. Be good to everyone and they will be good to you. But also to fight for what you believe in and never give up. I come from a background of strong, skilled, hard workers. That’s what I know how to do—work hard and do my best. I just want to live up to my family’s standards and values, and in doing so, inspire someone else. Karla Arvizu and Chef Marie Yniguez. Photo by Stephanie Cameron. 16
edible Santa Fe | FALL 2015
checking your ego at the door, and generally being a good sport. In an effort to showcase these individuals, organizations, and businesses for their work to build a stronger local economy and a robust local food system, each issue this year will spotlight several of the winners with interviews about the work they do.