Growing up amid the lush, produce-rich haven of Northern California, Albuquerque-based chef David Ruiz found his culinary spark ignited by the vivid tapestry of his surroundings. His gastronomic journey was deeply influenced by his family's traditions and the vibrant, flavorful landscapes of his heritage.

As a child, David spent his summers on his grandmother’s farm, surrounded by a bounty of tomatoes, peppers, avocados, and figs. These experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for the authentic flavours of nature. He fondly recalls the influence of his family's culinary traditions, reminiscing about the warmth of fresh tortillas, the comfort of homemade tamales, and the tang of salsa.

 

 

David's dishes are like playful journeys, brimming with curiosity, texture, and a burst of colours. Each plate offers a delightful mix of flavours, a nod to both nostalgic childhood memories and cultural heritage. 

“MY FOOD IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL. I BELIEVE PEOPLE EAT WITH THEIR EYES FIRST, SO WHEN I SET A DISH DOWN, I WANT SOMEBODY TO FEEL SOMETHING — TO BE INSPIRED.”

Dreaming in food, David credits the inspiration behind his dishes to dreams, hardships, and everything in-between. From quiet moments of reflection to hearing a familiar song, each experience shapes his culinary creations, infusing them with depth and imagination.

“EVERYTHING IN LIFE INSPIRES ME, I COULD BE RIDING A BIKE AND SEE A SUNFLOWER, AND THAT INSPIRES ME. I COULD HEAR A SONG OR REMEMBER A SMELL FROM WHEN I WAS A KID, OR A DISH I ATE YEARS AGO, EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE INSPIRES ME, THERE'S NOTHING THAT DOESN’T.”

 

 

David says every love story begins with garlic and onions. One of his favourite ingredients is Gojuchang, a richly fermented red chilli paste, popular in Korean cuisine. With this exquisite ingredient, he conjures up a tantalising chicken dish that never fails to captivate the palate.

“I LOVE ANYTHING THAT’S FRESH, I LOVE TURMERIC AND YOGHOURT, MAKING MY OWN RICOTTA, BLACK GARLIC, THOSE ARE FLAVOURS THAT I’M LOVING!”

Crafting a new dish requires a blend of inspiration and vision. Each creation is meticulously developed through 4 or 5 iterations before reaching its perfected form.

 

 

Along with being a talented chef, David is a mental health advocate in his community. One of his favourite chefs, David Chang, the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, has been a constant source of inspiration. 

“HOW HE BET ON HIMSELF WHEN PEOPLE TOLD HIM HE COULDN’T DO SOMETHING, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME. SO MUCH OF MY LIFE HAS BEEN PEOPLE TELLING ME THAT I COULDN’T DO SOMETHING, OR I COULDN'T GET SOMEWHERE, OR I WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH. BUT I’VE ALWAYS KEPT MY HEAD DOWN AND WORKED HARD TO GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY. HE’S HUGE ON MENTAL HEALTH, AND HE INSPIRED ME TO READ SEVERAL BOOKS AND LISTEN TO PODCASTS. HE SEES A THERAPIST, SO I STARTED SEEING A THERAPIST, AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH IT INSPIRED ME AND KIND OF CHANGED MY ENTIRE LIFE AND PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS.”

 

 

 

In Albuquerque, David is in the process of creating a support group in collaboration with fellow local restaurant owners and chefs. This initiative aims to provide a nurturing environment where individuals can openly discuss their challenges and access resources for professional support, including therapists, life coaches, and mentors.

“I UNFORTUNATELY LOST 5 FRIENDS TO SUICIDE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND 3 WERE CHEFS; AND IT’S SOMETHING THAT’S VERY PREVALENT IN MY INDUSTRY. ESPECIALLY FOR MEN, IT'S LESS NORMALISED TO TALK ABOUT OUR FEELINGS. ONE OF THE BIG THINGS FOR ME OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN TO BRING AWARENESS, TO SAY HEY LOOK I'M SOMEBODY WHO SEES A THERAPIST AND A LIFE COACH, AND IT'S NOT EMBARRASSING, IT’S SOMETHING THAT CAN SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES. I THINK MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE TALKED ABOUT DAILY AND MORE NORMALISED.”

David serves as a beacon for mental health awareness, inspiring chefs and artists alike to step beyond their comfort zones and embrace honesty about their emotions.

 

 

 

Teaming up with business partner Victoria Van Dame, David manages the Curious Toast Cafe, nestled in the bustling downtown district of Albuquerque. Their collaboration in 2019 breathed new life into an abandoned building, now a versatile hub for community engagement. While the café is based on the ground floor, various rooms in the space are allocated to artists and non-profits. Among them is a program dedicated to assisting formerly incarcerated women secure employment and forge fulfilling paths forward.

While brainstorming the menu for the Curious Toast Cafe, David recalls one summer night he spent reading a book that mentioned how versatile toast is. From this, curiosity and vision was sparked. 

“I TOOK A LOT OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS FROM MY CHILDHOOD AND SAID, DOES THIS WORK ON BREAD? AND A LOT OF IT DOES, IT’S PRETTY AMAZING! I HAVE A CHEF THAT WORKS FOR ME, DOMINIC, AND A LOT OF IT IS US COMING TOGETHER ASKING “WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS IDEA?” HE IS NATIVE AMERICAN, SO IT'S COOL TO SEE US COMBINING THINGS FROM OUR CHILDHOOD AND FROM OUR ROOTS AS HUMAN BEINGS.”

The Curious Toast Cafe serves an assortment of toast-based dishes featuring in-season ingredients from the local farmers market. David makes sure to touch base with vendors to see what’s being grown and develop new dishes as the season progresses. 

“ALL OF OUR VENDORS COME FROM OUR LOCAL FARMERS MARKET, WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET, SO NOT ONLY ARE WE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL PEOPLE, WE ARE HELPING THE DOWNTOWN ECONOMY BY SUPPLYING LOCAL JOBS.”