If you are on social media, particularly Facebook and TikTok, you may have come across Nité Marquez’s cooking videos. The Taos-based chef uses those platforms to share his passion for cooking, which has drawn thousands of views and followers along the way.  

On his pages, you’ll find tutorials on how to make a variety of authentic New Mexican dishes from stacked red chile enchiladas to classic desserts like natillas. The tutorials have helped people connect with their culture while remembering times when their own family members made these same recipes.   

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Marquez to talk about his journey as a chef. Marquez discusses the people and circumstances that brought him into the kitchen at just 5-years-old and explains how those memories unknowingly trained him for the profession.  

Before going viral on social media, Marquez was a full-time chef, working in restaurants such as Lambert’s, The Stakeout and El Monte Sagrado. He reflects on those experiences and what it was like working for some of Taos’ esteemed eateries. He became an educator, and his students suggested taking to TikTok — and he took off. 

In the episode, he also talks about the significance of preserving cultural recipes, especially for future generations. One way he hopes to do his part is by releasing a series of cookbooks showcasing his recipes. The first edition is in production and will be released soon. More information will be announced on his platforms at a later date.  

Follow his cooking on social media at Nité Marquez or Chef Nité Marquez.