Chef Andrea Condes Leads Two-Day Culinary Demonstration at NTU

Crownpoint, NM – On October 5 and 6, 2026, Chef Andrea Condes of Four Direction Cuisine visited ��APP’s main campus for a two-day culinary demonstration and educational experience with students in the Culinary Arts Program.

On the first day, Chef Andrea began with a presentation introducing herself and sharing her professional background and more than 20 years of experience in the culinary industry. She also incorporated interactive activities to engage the students and to learn more about their interests and experiences.

The next day, Chef Andrea worked directly with students in the Culinary Arts Program, beginning with the Professional Baking students in the morning. The group of six students prepared an Indigenous-inspired dish featuring Ute blue corn milk cake with maple-caramelized squash rounds, pine nut cream, and a toasted seed mix. The students followed Chef Andrea’s step-by-step instructions while receiving hands-on guidance throughout the preparation process. Most of the students participating in the morning session were second-year students completing the Professional Baking portion of the Culinary Arts Program.

In the afternoon, Chef Andrea worked with first-semester Culinary Arts students. Students from the morning session also assisted their classmates during the afternoon demonstration. The group prepared potato dumplings with squash purée, roasted beets, and sorrel. The 12 students were divided
into four groups, with each group responsible for completing the recipe provided by Chef Andrea.

Each dish prepared throughout the two-day experience was Indigenous-inspired and featured recipes and techniques that Chef Andrea has developed and prepared throughout her culinary career. The demonstrations provided students with an opportunity to learn new techniques, gain hands-on experience, and learn from a professional chef with extensive culinary experience.

The NTU Culinary Arts Program would like to thank Chef Andrea Condes for taking the time to visit campus, share her knowledge and experience, and lead these engaging cooking demonstrations with our students over the past two days.