An edible New Mexico  event
presented by Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance

Join us on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Co. for an unforgettable day celebrating our region’s dedicated grass-fed ranchers—each thoughtfully paired with talented local chefs who will transform their proteins into inspired dishes. This immersive experience fosters meaningful connections between producers, chefs, and community members, deepening appreciation for the protein on your plate while highlighting the stories, stewardship, and craftsmanship behind every bite.

At this event, you’ll have the chance to meet the ranchers behind the food and savor mouthwatering local grassfed/grass-finished creations from seven talented local chefs. Cast your vote to crown the People’s Choice winner and discover how to source grassfed meat directly from the ranchers themselves. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy amazing flavors and learn how to support sustainable, local ranching from the Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance.

Taste and Vote for New Mexico’s Best Grassfed dishes!

The Competition is Heating Up: Meet Our Grassfed Smackdown Contenders

The Menu

Enjoy seven grassfed-inspired dishes from these phenomenal chefs from around the state.

Chef Danny Calleros

Tuscan Taco

Pecan-smoked lamb leg from Laughing Goat Fine Meats and sundried tomato mole served on a warm borderland tortilla.

Chef Nathan Mayes

Smoked Lamb Barbacoa Taco

KAE Ranch lamb taco “con todo” with a handmade flour tortilla.

Chef Ray Naranjo

Cloud Tamale Waffle

Griddled in a waffle iron with cheese and topped with Sol Ranch smoked beef brisket and red chile barbecue sauce.

Chef Kyle Key

Shio Koji Galbi
Lamb Riblet Ssam
 

New Mexico Hairsheep Collective lamb with NM ChileJang Ssamjang and pickles.

Chef Noah Scanland

Smoked Tri-Tip & Cajun Crawfish Toast 

House-smoked, thin-sliced Dry Creek Meats tri-tip beef served over a warm, spicy Cajun crawfish spread on golden-toasted crostini.

Chef Dale Kester

From Scratch Smashburger 

Sweet Grass Cooperative beef with smoked American cheese, special sauce, grilled onion, dill pickles, onion sesame bun.

Chef Yolanda Torres

Straight Baller

Sile Pastures‘ ancestral blend meatballs, pinon basil pesto, spicy garlic marinara, smoked mozzarella, topped with grated pecorino cheese, served on a toasted baguette.

Why Grassfed?

  • Better Taste and Flavor – Grass-fed cattle with genetics that match the biome where they are raised result in meat that is well-marbled, tender, and very flavorful. Flavor often reflects the forages the animal consumed during the finishing phase of production. These production methods lower stress, which increases tenderness.
  • Human Health – Scientific studies have shown that grass-fed beef is nutrient-dense and tends to be lean.
  • Animal Welfare – When cattle live on pastures and are able to graze and forage for their diet, they can maintain their health, have low stress and aggression levels, and have a low mortality rate. 
  • Environmental Benefits – Properly managed grazing systems promote functional water cycles, mineral cycles, and carbon cycles across a wide variety of landscapes.

Meet Our Ranches

Grassfed / grass-finished meat

2025 Winners

The 2025 People’s Choice goes to Horno Restaurant / Sile Pastures, and the Judges’ Award goes to Mañana Taco / Laughing Goat Gardens for  A Taste of Grassfed Smackdown.

A Taste of Grassfed Smackdown presented by 

A Taste of Grassfed Smackdown Sponsors and Supporters