New Mexico Department of Agriculture Food and Beverage Specialist Dennis Hogan (right) was in the company of world renowned chef and former Top Chef star Fabio Viviani at the Shamrock Iron Chef Competition. NMDA is unveiling its NEW MEXICO—Taste the Tradition® Chef Ambassador Program this summer. (Photo courtesy NMDA)Las Cruces, New Mexico – Calling all New Mexico chefs: grab your favorite recipes for the first-ever NEW MEXICO — Taste the Tradition® (NM-TTT) Chef Ambassador Program.
 
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is looking for chefs who support New Mexico agriculture by serving New Mexico agricultural products in their restaurants. If you support New Mexico agriculture, then help NMDA promote the agriculture industry by applying to be a chef ambassador.

New Mexico Department of Agriculture Food and Beverage Specialist Dennis Hogan (left) has appeared on various news programs as the department's culinary specialist. NMDA is unveiling its NEW MEXICO — Taste the Tradition® Chef Ambassador Program this summer. (Photo courtesy NMDA)Chefs selected to be part of the first-ever NEW MEXICO — Taste the Tradition® Chef Ambassador Program will have the opportunity to take part in many New Mexico Department of Agriculture events while cooking up their favorite recipes in the NMDA food trailer. (Photo courtesy NMDA)NEW MEXICO — Taste the Tradition® Chef Ambassador Program logoAmbassadors selected through a competitive application process will serve a two-year term advocating for and promoting New Mexico agriculture at various events, such as the New Mexico State Fair, HomeGrown and industry conferences. In doing so, chef ambassadors will receive recognition and gain industry exposure while providing a voice for New Mexico agriculture.
 
New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said the chef ambassador program provides an opportunity for chefs to showcase how different foods and beverages grown and made throughout the state may be incorporated into various recipes.
 
"New Mexico farmers and ranchers grow diverse and high quality agriculture products that make up the entire plate," Witte said, "Our chef ambassadors are the ideal group to showcase these fine dishes."
 
Those interested in becoming an NM-TTT Chef Ambassador must demonstrate credentials as a chef, sous chef or pastry chef in the state of New Mexico. Please visit newmexicotradition.com or call Felicia Frost at 575-646-4929 for more information. Applications and necessary attachments must be emailed to tastethetradition@nmda.nmsu.edu by Saturday, June 30.
 
For more information about NMDA, visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter @NMDeptag.