Note from Indianz.Com: Pante (pronounced pAHn – teh) comes from the Tewa language term for oven.

Albuquerque, NM (November 12, 2020) – The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is reimagining Pueblo Harvest Restaurant as the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, an innovative teaching kitchen and restaurant centered around Indigenous cuisine education and exploration. Under the inspired leadership of Executive Chef Ray Naranjo (Santa Clara, Odawa), the Indian Pueblo Kitchen will offer guests and students an unforgettable Indigenous food experience. The opening date is contingent on public health mandates for museums and restaurants, but IPCC leadership is hoping for spring of 2021.

“One of the most memorable moments for our guests seeking a deeper connection to Pueblo people and culture is a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the Cultural Center’s restaurant,” said Dr. Beverlee J. McClure, Vice President of Community and Cultural Engagement. “The Indian Pueblo Kitchen will carry on that tradition of creative, Native American culinary artistry and Pueblo hospitality and will now provide exciting opportunities for students to learn Indigenous cooking techniques and restaurant operations and management in an engaging, collaborative environment—preparing them for a future in the hospitality industry.”

In addition, The Indian Pueblo Kitchen will provide entrepreneurs, food truck operators and Native American food artisans with access to a commercial greenhouse and commercial kitchen. It will also offer culinary tourism opportunities such as cooking classes, wine pairing dinners, Feast Day experiences and farm-to-fork dining.

In anticipation of the restaurant’s opening, the Indian Pueblo Kitchen is introducing a new concept by Executive Chef Ray Naranjo called the Pante Project.

“One consequence of the pandemic is the loss of community and human connection. People miss simple things like the experience of dining with family and friends at their favorite restaurants. So, until we reopen as the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, we’re creating monthly events in which our customers can order a pre-prepared, Indigenous dinner online, pick it up curbside and then join us online to let us show you how it was prepared,” said Chef Ray. “Participants will be able to see the process of how their meals came together, why the food was selected—and the cultural meaning behind the food. We are very excited about the Pante Project and believe it will be a fun new way to reconnect with our customers who miss having a unique, Pueblo-inspired food experience.”

Customers can order the first Pante Project meal at indianpueblo.org now through Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00PM MST. Contact-free meal pick-up will then be on Saturday, November 21st from 3:00-5:00PM MST at IPCC in Albuquerque (located at 2401 12th Street NW, 87104) or at a location to be determined in Santa Fe. When orders are made, each customer will receive an email containing a link to a video of Chef Ray preparing the dinner and sharing interesting information about the meal.

The inaugural menu for Chef Ray’s Pante Project features Contemporary Indigenous Gastronomy of North America and its association of directions and colors that represent them, from an ancestral Tewa perspective.

Direction: Northwest – North
The Colors of Corn
Color of Corn: Blue

Pure Heirloom Squash Bisque
Cedar House Smoked Salmon with Blueberry Maple Gastrique
Nixtamalized Blue Corn with Roasted Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
Truffle-Scented Roasted Forest Mushrooms
Wild Berries Compote with Acorn Flour Crumble

* Optional Cocktail: Michelada (Available in Albuquerque only)

IPCC members will receive a $5 discount per meal. A portion of the proceeds from each dinner will benefit IPCC’s Pueblo Relief Fund.

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Founded in 1976 by the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a world-class museum and cultural center located in the historic 19 Pueblos District. The IPCC’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture, and to advance understanding by presenting with dignity and respect the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico. The Center is temporarily closed due to the pandemic but, under normal circumstances, visitors can learn fascinating history, shop for Native jewelry and art, watch a cultural dance, hear Native languages, and experience the flavors of traditional and contemporary Native cuisine. To learn more, please visit: indianpueblo.org and facebook.com/IndianPueblo. We update these pages immediately anytime there is a change to the Center’s status and hours.

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