Once dealing drugs and guns, Santa Fe chef now shines on 'Chopped'

Posted: Monday, October 31, 2016 11:15 pm | Updated: 3:01 pm, Tue Nov 1, 2016.

In the cramped kitchen of Santacafé, executive chef Fernando Ruiz quickly rolled four blue-corn chicken confit enchiladas and ladled red chile sauce over them. His kitchen staff moved smoothly around him.

“The secret is not to eat your own cooking,” Ruiz said with a grin. “I like to eat other chefs’ food, not a lot of mine.”

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Once dealing drugs and guns, Santa Fe chef now shines on 'Chopped'

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

Once dealing drugs and guns, Santacafé chef is now slicing and sautéeing on national TV

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