October-ific culinary ideas at the Santa Fe School of Cooking

Special events and holidays just keep coming—at least in Santa Fe and across New Mexico! The colorful Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta may be behind us, but Halloween and Día de los Muertos are right around the corner. Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and we all know how Black Friday starts making things jingle!

TREAT, DON’T TRICK

We take holidays seriously, starting with Halloween—because let’s face it, the grown-ups we know enjoy being treated just as much as the little ones do.

Go ahead, don’t hold back! If your ghoul or guy is willing to keep answering the door all night, make sure you have something on hand to reward that generous spirit.

Our Market is stocked with snacks a-plenty, and if your favorite “Mom-ster” or Daddy Frankenstein is too far away to hear the doorbell, you can still send a gift basket full of treats to keep the tradition alive.

And for the easiest option of all, slip a gift card into someone’s treat bag and let that Halloween-lover pick their own surprise!

SUPERNATURALLY SAVORY

Another kind of treat? Feeding your loved one a meal of traditional New Mexican and Southwestern foods—recipes you can learn to make yourself!

Consider joining a demonstration class like Traditional New Mexican III on October 25, featuring hearty green chile stew. Or, try the October 28 Fajitas Class, perfect for enjoying after the doorbell stops ringing. Miss those dates? The Traditional New Mexican III Class returns on November 5.

If you prefer hands-on learning, the October 28 Salsas Class will teach you how to craft the perfect chip companion, while October 30 More Tacos focuses on tacos your hungry werewolf will devour. And for true Halloween night fun, the October 31 Traditional New Mexican I Class covers the full lineup: corn tortillas, cheese and chicken enchiladas, pinto beans, posole, and even capirotada—bread pudding sweet enough to tempt any vampire!

LET US FILL UP THAT SKELETON

If you’d rather relax and admire the little spooks wandering the neighborhood, let us handle dinner! With 48 hours’ notice, you can pick up a full meal on Halloween Day and enjoy it while handing out candy.

Choose from classics like tamales, enchiladas, carne adovada, posole, rice, and beans—a true taste of New Mexico.

Pickup is available between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31, so you can feed the family before trick-or-treat duty begins.

SANTA FE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

The City of Santa Fe proudly celebrates Día de los Muertos, and the Museum of International Folk Art kicks off the festivities on Sunday, October 26.

Now in its fourth year, this meaningful outdoor tradition on the Santa Fe Plaza brings two full days of music, dance, face painting, and beautiful community ofrendas—altars where people can place mementos of loved ones. There’s even a screening of the Disney classic Coco and plenty of delicious food.

If you’ve taken one of our Mexican cooking classes, you’ll already be ready to prepare your own authentic dishes before heading out!

For more Mexican flavor, the November 7 Mole and More Class explores the art of smoked chicken mole, paired with Ensalada Tres Frijoles, Arroz Verde, Red Chile-Glazed Carrots, and a Flourless Mexican Chocolate Torte. Every student enjoys the full meal at the end of class—no holiday required to celebrate that!

And don’t miss the Zozobra Costume Contest for Kids hosted by the Santa Fe Kiwanis on October 31—those fun-loving organizers always find ways to add Zozobra flair to every celebration.

MORE HOLIDAYS AWAIT

November brings Thanksgiving, and while we’re big fans of turkey—especially when it comes with a Southwestern twist—our chefs are only cooking one turkey dinner this year: the one for their own families!

But don’t worry—you can still join in from home with our Modern Southwestern Thanksgiving Class, a festive online lesson that walks you through a full Santa Fe–style feast to share with your loved ones.

Looking ahead to December? The December 13 Contemporary Southwest Christmas Class brings a fresh spin on holiday dining with dishes like Kale Salad with Chile Pecans and Cranberries, Sweet Potato Mash, Crispy Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Chile-Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce, and a showstopping Eggnog Flan to finish the meal.

TRADITION-NOEL-Y

Our “tradition-noel-y” New Mexican Christmas classes are among our most beloved events of the year—because nothing says “holiday season” like the flavors that have filled New Mexico homes for generations.

Held on Saturday, December 6 and Christmas Eve, December 24, these classes feature recipes such as Shredded Pork Tamales, Poblano and Corn Tamales, Red Chile Sauce, Hearty Holiday Posole, Calabacitas, and our state cookie, Bizcochitos.

These classes always fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot early—there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by learning and sharing the timeless dishes that make New Mexico home.