Beyond satisfied with the experience! Lois and Walter cooked for me and 8 friends on my 40th birthday, and it was such a special experience. There was a great front-end education about the origins of all of the food served, ample answers to questions along the way, and even a happy birthday song at the end. Communication from start to finish in the process was excellent, food was flawless, and service was five star/fine dining level great while still retaining a casual, comfortable feel. Honestly, could not recommend more! If you're looking for a perfect way to spend time with friends, commemorate a special event, or just have a great meal with a group, do this. Like now.
Joe H. - Austin, TX
Lois and team came to our AirBnB rental and put on the most incredible dinner experience for 11 girls for a bachelorette party! I can't speak highly enough, the food was unbelievably delicious, but on top of that we learned so much about local Santa Fe cuisine and Native American culture as there was a story and information for every dish and ended in the most beautiful song. Truly cannot recommend enough!
Jamie Allen - Boston, MA
I was looking for a way to have a top-quality dining experience with my wife for our anniversary, without going to a restaurant. I reached out to Red Mesa and Lois promptly got back in touch. She was already booked for that evening, but offered to prepare a meal that I could pick up. We discussed the menu, and she very smoothly worked to accommodate our dietary restrictions. When I arrived to pick it up, she and Walter gave me excellent information about the food - ingredients, origins, and cultural significance - and instructions for heating, garnishing, and serving, and presented me with two nicely printed menus for the place settings. The food was carefully packaged in very attractive, oven-ready serving dishes. Our meal was fabulous, and the portions very generous. I will definitely be coming back for future special occasions.
John Amos - Santa Fe, NM
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly, and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beaten. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Shaun Williams
Chef Lois and Walter at Red Mesa create a culturally unique experience, using locally sourced organic food that is prepared with love and care. The corn soup was so silky and delicious and that just got us started. It was a Native experience of a lifetime!
Daphne Hougard
Thank you Red Mesa for an extraordinary culinary experience in our Adobe Ridgetop home! The food was beautifully prepared, delicious and the presentation a feast for the eyes.
Your generosity of spirit and knowledge warmed and enriched our evening.
Laird and Corky Brown
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration for my husband. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beat. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Sarah K. - Denver, CO
Lois and Walter were the best part of our trip to Santa Fe - though there were many other good parts. They worked with us on an appropriate format for our family birthday party - taught us how to prepare a beautiful stuffed pepper dish while explaining many things about the region and the origins of our food, and then made the rest of the feast. After our meal they sang our birthday girl some wonderful Native American songs, and talked to us about spirit dolls and the programs they're working on. It was a magical night - full of laughter and tears and richness, and I credit a good chunk of that to their simple joy and authenticity in their skill and craft, and their desire to share it with us.
Andrew F. - San Francisco, CA
Lois and Walter catered my birthday dinner in Santa Fe in December and it was perfect! The food itself was truly outstanding, and Lois took the time to tell us about each course and the significance of the ingredients throughout the meal. My friends and family all said they had never had such a beautiful meal and continued raving about it all weekend. Lois and Walter went above and beyond and sang me a traditional Native American birthday wish and presented me with a beautiful signed cookbook. Did you know Lois' cookbook won a James Beard Award?!? Start to finish it was a perfect night and I can't want to plan my next party in Santa Fe with Lois!
Lclenti - Austin, TX
Lois and her team put on a truly incredible evening for me and my girlfriends (15 of us total) during my bachelorette weekend in Santa Fe. They were all so kind and accommodating (especially with our variety of food restrictions). The chili-roasting and tortilla making portion of the evening was such a fun way to start the night. When we moved into the house we were blown away by the beautiful set-up they put together in our rental house - it was like we were in a private restaurant. Each course was insanely delicious and exceeded all my expectations.
Everything about the evening was amazing and a unique experience I'll never forget. It was my favorite part of the whole weekend. I HIGHLY recommend Red Mesa Cuisine for any special occasion!
Michelle R. - Los Angeles, CA
We had the pleasure of Red Mesa Cuisine coming to our rental home for a bachelorette weekend in Santa Fe. Lois and her team not only served us an incredible meal but taught us about Native American culture in a fun and interesting way that felt very organic and easy. We will definitely use them again if given the opportunity and would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for an interactive and tasty dining experience!
Meredith A. - Allen, TX
We had a fantastic dinner with Chef Lois Ellen Frank and Chef Walter Whitewater earlier this year - and in truth, a unique experience, as we savored a Native American dinner and learned about the foods at the same time. Chef Lois worked closely with us on a specialized 5 course dinner for our family of eight. If you have the opportunity to hire them for a private dinner, you will not be disappointed and you will have a life-time memory for you and all your guests.
June R. -Boston, MA
We had the pleasure of having Lois (and Walter) cook for us this past May for a special family gathering. Needless to say it was incredible. We did an extensive search of 'in home chefs' and eventually decided on Red Mesa Cuisine. Lois's ability to understand the needs of our group, professionalism and responsiveness was second to none. When the evening of our dinner did arrive we were blown away. The freshness, presentation and flavor profile were all incredible. Lois and Walter also have the great ability to communicate with everyone in the group. She also has extensive knowledge of food science and local culture. You won't be disappointed. If I didn't live in Chicago I'd look to hire Lois's services more often. The food and the dialogue made our evening one for the record books.
Our annual visit to Santa Fe included a wonderful Native American dinner prepared and served in our rental home. The evening was a highlight of our month's stay. I highly recommend Red Mesa Cusine for an unforgettable evening of wonderful food and learning about the various dishes served.
Table settings, a 5-course meal beautifully presented, delicious food choices.....truly a memorable evening for family and friends gathered together. Lois, Walter and Corina were most professional yet cordial to all. You will not be disappointed if you choose to enjoy an evening with them. Book early!
Linda J. - Santa Fe, NM
Red Mesa catered a Native American themed meal for our group of eight women when we met in Santa Fe for a reunion of sorts. This beautiful and delicious dinner was the highlight of our trip. Each course was uniquely prepared and presented. All eight of us photographed all of it. We loved Lois' interesting and very informative presentation explaining the history and significance of each dish. And Walter's drumming of Happy Birthday was the icing on the cake! We all agree that any return trip to Santa Fe will include an evening with Red Mesa.
Dianna S. - Encino, CA
Amazing food and experience! Red Mesa Cuisine is a great way to get family together for a fun, cultured, and delicious evening. 5 stars from this group!
Jeff Grady
Raylee Homes
Lois was the best chef experience I’ve had! She was knowledgeable, professional and personable. Her food was absolutely incredible!
Cinée Goudailoier
LiCi Fit
Red Mesa Cuisine contributed so much to a recent company party that it is not enough to say that they “catered” the event. Lois and Walter, with their professionalism, dedication, and esthetics, made the party a success. The food, of course, was delicious – the guests were delighted with the flavor and imagination of the dishes. The service was impeccable. As the host, I never worried that my guests needed anything, because Red Mesa was always there to provide it. But the most important thing, to me, was how comfortable I felt knowing that Lois had everything under control. I was able to enjoy the evening and my guests. And the feedback I have gotten from the guests has been that it was a party they will always remember as being one of the best. So thank you, Lois and crew, for everything.
Renata Golden
Golden Ink
Santa Fe, NM
Lois and Walter have cooked at our house several times now and each time has been a truly special experience. The attention to detail is excellent: the table is set beautifully, the food is always spectacular, and the service is impeccable. Their passion and knowledge of Native American cuisine is impressive. The menu is thoughtfully designed with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients - but tailored to fit the specific needs of our guests.
It is such a memorable evening to be able to enjoy a specially prepared Native American dinner in our home with friends. We get to relax and enjoy being with our guests while they take care of everything. Lois and her team make is so easy on the hosts - they arrive early to set everything up and do not leave until the last dish is washed. We have had many great meals in Santa Fe, but none as special as those prepared by Lois and Walter.
Lauren & Lance Byrd
Houston, TX and Santa Fe, NM
During a recent family vacation to Santa Fe we wanted to celebrate a special birthday. I found Red Mesa on the internet and when I contacted Lois Ellen Frank I knew I'd found the perfect caterer for us. Our family was excited about the Native American menu and appreciated that the ingredients were local and mostly organic. The meal Lois and Walter provided was the best, by far, that we had during our stay in Santa Fe. It was certainly one of the best meals we have ever experienced. The food was delicious, extremely attractively presented and Lois' explanation of the native ingredients and preparation methods for the food served in each course just added to the experience. Walter Whitewater, who, with Lois, prepared the meal, delighted our grandchildren by teaching them how to decorate their desert plates. Lois oversaw that every detail, from table setting, decoration and favors, to food presentation and clean up met her very high standards. Our experience with Lois and Walter exceeded our expectations in every way. They were both flexible, easy to work with, wonderful chefs and, as the promised created a very happy memory for our whole family. Red Mesa provided an extraordinary, wonderful family experience.
Dick Hawkins and Nancy Holland,
Rock Hall, Maryland
Lois prepared a five-course American Indian feast for a client dinner that stands out for being a remarkably memorable experience. Of course, the food was top-notch. However what a truly defined the evening was the way that Lois and her colleagues engaged all of us in discussion and offer pointers on becoming better chefs. It was tour de force!
Peter Arnold,
President, Arnold Consulting
Washington, DC
Our recent Board of Directors’ dinner catered by Red Mesa Cuisine was one of the most fabulous dinner experiences that our group has ever had. The creativity that Chef Lois Ellen Frank and her staff used, with their menu selections and the themed décor, allowed us to visit another culture without even leaving the room. Our evening was entertaining as well as educational. The services Red Mesa provided us went way beyond the boundaries of my expectations.
Andrea Walters Sysco Corporation
The catering services provided by Red Mesa Cuisine for the Institute of American Indian Arts 2008 Spring Graduation was wonderful. The Graduation Committee and students selected Red Mesa to cater the event because the food was fresh, organic and supplied by local farmers, it was beautifully displayed and tasted so good!
Carmen Henan
IAIA Graduation Committee Co-Chair
Red Mesa Cuisine is always our first choice when we have important events for visitors like The Glass Alliance or for Indian Market. The food is authentic,
delicious and the presentation set up is outstanding!
Paula Rhae McDonald
Owner/Director
Kiva Fine Art
102 E. Water St.; Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-820-7413
www.kivafineart.com
Our experiences with Red Mesa have been exceptional. The table was beautifully set, the food was not only delicious, but interesting, the
service was professional, yet warm and they left the kitchen cleaner than they found it. They are the best.
Beth Schnieders
Seed Savers Exchange
Board of Directors Dinner
Lois Frank and her incredible staff graced New Mexico Community Foundation’s two 25thAnniversary celebrations with a wonderful selection of unique and delicious Native and Traditional dishes made with organic and local produce. Our guest were very appreciative of the on-site preparation of dishes and Lois’ informative presentation. The entire staff was professional, courteous, helpful and added immensely to the ambience of the celebrations. We would highly recommend Red Mesa Cuisine as a catering service that provides the best of New Mexico’s bounty on a community friendly budget.
Kimi Green,
New Mexico Community Foundation
"Thank you for the outstanding events with my groups last May. The farewell dinner and special luncheon were absolutely wonderful. The food was top notch and my group has eaten at Geronimo, the Compound and Santa Cafe, but the talk you gave and all the extra special touches were just above and beyond, making it so memoriable for everyone. I received many thank you notes after the programs and everyone mentioned your event. I would never plan a tour without including you again. Thank you a million!"
Karen Ziegler
Galleries and Gardens
On Sunday, October 22nd, 2017 Native American owned Red Mesa Cuisines catered a luncheon on the Wells Petroglyph Preserve in Lyden, north of Santa Fe for the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project. That organization's mission is to protect the tens of thousands of Native American Petroglyphs on the mesa. The occasion was the group's annual Flute Player Tour where guests visit dozens of flute player petroglyph images.
After the tour guests were treated to a luncheon featuring all Native American foods prepared by Red Mesa Cuisine principals Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D. and Walter Whitewater. The setting was the portal of the home of MPPP founder, Katherine Wells, high above the Rio Grande and golden autumn cottonwoods.
Guests swooned at the presentation of an organic sweet corn soup with a perfect spiral of red bell pepper and chipotle chile puree drawn on the bright yellow liquid. Phones quickly appeared to document this artful dish which echoed the petroglyphs found on the site.
The entree of locally raised bison stuffed into a New Mexico green pepper and garnished with organic garden tomato sauce and sour cream followed. The meal was accompanied by fine wines from La Chiripada Winery in Dixon. It is the oldest winery in the area. As an extra delight, well-known Taos Pueblo flute player Patrick Mirabal played during the tour and while guests enjoyed the four course lunch.
The meal was topped off with an exquisite dessert duo--a mixed berry crisp accompanied by a chocolate piñon torte beautifully garnished left every guest feeling more than satisfied. Chefs Lois and Walter received kudos all around.