More on this section coming soon... Chef JD Damron Hometown: Santa Fe, NM Length of Tenure: 14 years Favorite Dish to Cook: Rack of Lamb Favorite Dish to Eat: King Crab Awards/Honors: New Mexico Guest Life Magazine: "Great Chefs of the Southwest" (91-92, 92-93, 93-94, 94-95) Chefs de Santa Fe Cookbook: 93, 94, 95 Chef of the Week: Chefs de Santa Fe, "New Mexican" - 1993, 1994 Education: 1982: One year of apprenticeship under executive chef Dan Lewis (graduate of the San Francisco Culinary Institute.) 1983: Anderson School of Management; University of New Mexico B.A.S. in restaurant management. 1985: Six month apprenticeship under award winning executive chef Jerome Collins (Professor at NY School of Culinary Arts, Hyde Park, NY.) 1989: Colorado Institute of Art; School of Culinary Art A.A.S. degree; ACF Accreditation; JD is currently the executive chef at El Nido Restaurant. He has been employed there for over 14 years. His family history, in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, dates back to the 1600s. JD is a 5th generation Master Tin Smith, showing his tin at the semi-annual Spanish Colonial Arts Society's Spanish Market. His is also a firefighter and EMT for the Tesuque Fire Department. JD is married and has two daughters. JD has been cooking since the age of 13. He has been an ACF certified executive chef since 1990. He has served several apprenticeships under award winning executive chefs. He has a B.A.S. degree in restaurant management. Some of his appearances include: New Mexico Guest Life Magazine/Great Chefs of the Southwest; Chefs de Santa Fe cookbook and Chef of the Week/The Santa Fe New Mexican.