M'tucci's & Rio Rancho High School Culinary Program
/In 2021, M’tucci’s Restaurants founder Jeff Spiegel announced his intention of making M’tucci’s “the education restaurant company of New Mexico”. Setting this goal launched a series of initiatives, both public and private, that sought to connect employees and the company leadership with institutions of learning. This effort is ongoing and includes everything from nonprofit support of the special needs community at Mandy’s Farm (more details to come), to an exciting new partnership with Rio Rancho High School (RHSS). It is M’tucci’s engagement with the culinary program at RRHS that we’re going to explore in today’s La Gazzetta.
M’tucci’s was exploring a role a yet-to-be constructed skills-based training center in the City of Vision, when we were contacted by chef Billy Solivan, who directs the culinary program at RRHS. As it turned out, there was an immediate opportunity to get involved in the classroom. Solivan wanted to give his students exposure to people working in the culinary industry, particularly for the Seniors, who would be making their way into the work world soon. M’tucci’s Moderno brought in General Manager and Partner, Robin Dibble, and the pieces quickly fell into place.
Company Chef Shawn cronin, rhss culinary director billy solivan & m’tucci’s Moderno gm/partner robin dibble
Soon, both parties had worked out a program that had three major components: visitations from M’tucci’s chefs for hands-on cooking classes; opportunities for the students to “shadow” the staff at the restaurant to better understand what it’s like to work in the industry; and a funding angle wherein M’tucci’s would double Solivan’s classroom budget for supplies, by holding fundraisers in the restaurant.
As we approach the end of the school year, we’re happy to report that we’ve engaged in two of the three operations. Moderno hosted a fundraiser “Spirit Night” in November that donated 20% of proceeds to the program, along with a funding grant. Our chefs have visited three times, providing fun instruction on simple foods to make at home, including hand-pulled, fresh mozzarella, and easy vinaigrettes. We also held discussions on how our people began working in the industry, and why they’ve made it their passion.
General Manager Robin Dibble has these reflections, thus far: “The coolest thing for me is to be able to pass down ideas and information that I didn’t learn until I was in my 20’s and 30’s to these high school kids. Practical experiences are almost a novelty coming out of a pandemic so their enthusiasm is great to see. I never would have imagined that I would be leading lectures and sharing my life’s work with high schoolers. The truth is that I dropped out of high school and wasn’t the best student at their age, so I’m honored and humbled to come back to school and share what I have learned. I think we all gain some perspective on life and the various paths you can choose.”
by Howie Kaibel - M’tucci’s Minister of Culture
Five-Course Pairing Dinner at M’tucci’s Bar Roma
May 16 @ 6:30 - $75 per person plus tax & gratuity
M’tucci’s Treats for Mother’s Day
Please make a reservation!
ABQ Journal People’s Choice Awards
Voting is open until May 15. Click here to Vote for Us
Best Italian - Best Business Lunch - Best Pizza - Best Upscale Dining - Best Cocktails
Best Seafood - Best Happy Hour - Best Chef: Shawn Cronin
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Honey Herb Ricotta Filling - Lemon Cream Sauce, Shrimp, Scallops, Cockle Clams, Capers, Broccolini, Calabrian Peppers, Saffron Bread Crumbs $29
14 oz Ribeye - Hand Cut Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $43
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $31
Braise - Red Wine Fig Braised Pork Belly, Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Braising Sauce, Microgreens $29
Weekend Cocktail
Crumble Berry - Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Absolut Raspberry Vodka, Absolut Orange Vodka, Half & Half, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz Ribeye - Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Salsa Verde $43
Pan-Seared Arctic Char - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $31
Pasta Prestata - Chardonnay Cream Sauce, Pink Shrimp, Whole Clams, Baby Scallops, Mussels, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Linguine Pasta $29
Weekend Cocktail
Blood In The Water - M’tucci’s Rosso, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, Blue Curaçao Liqueur, Absolut Apeach Vodka, Hellfire Bitters, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Lamb Ragú Bianco - Homemade Pappardelle Pasta, Slow Braised Lamb Ragú, Cracked Back Pepper, Pecorino Cheese, Parsley $21
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $36
14 oz Ribeye - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Compound Butter $43
Braised Sausage & Cannellini Beans - M'tucci's Garlic Sausage, Kale Agrodolce, White Beans Braised with Herbed Tomato Brodo $19
Weekend Cocktail
Awesome Blossom - In-House Lemoncello, St. Germain Liqueur, Ruffino Prosecco, Soda Water, Muddled Strawberries, Strawberries
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Sackett Farms Spare Rib Ragú - M'tucci's Pappardelle Pasta, Fresh Herbs, Roasted Tomatoes $25
Pan-Seared Bali Barramundi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Weekend Cocktail
Tutti Netarre (Everyone’s Nectar) - Creator’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, Peppercorn Bay Leaf Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters, Lemon Juice
Live Music for May
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm
5/7 Matt Jones
5/10 Shane Wallin
5/14 Gilbert Uribe
5/17 Justin Nuñez
5/21 Shane Wallin
5/24 RJ Perez
5/28 Lani Nash
5/31 Shane Wallin
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30
5/11 Matt Jones
5/12 RJ Perez
5/18 Oscar Butler
5/19 Lani Nash
5/25 Shane Wallin
5/26 Alex Long
M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30
5/11 Alex Long
5/12 Justin Nuñez
5/18 Javier Ortega
5/19 Melissa Rios
5/25 Matt Jones
5/26 Marissa Lynch
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
