The 2010 event held in June at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum under clear skies and perfect weather was enjoyed by around 300 local food enthusiasts. The event benefits the Las Cruces Public School Foundation literacy endowment as well as a community endowment managed by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.

If you didn’t attend, here’s a sampling of reasons you should begin planning for next year’s event event in June, 2011: panko rolls from Aqua Reef, shrimp ceviche from La Posta de Mesilla, chicken chile relleno from Sunset Grill, Rising Sun Salmon from Picacho Hills Country Club, spinach and artichoke ravioli from Lorenzo’s de Mesilla and fresh fruit tarts from Big Chair Café. Oh, and music by the Pancho Romero Trio.

Have you marked your calendar, yet, for next year’s event? All the food was great and the samplings convinced me that I needed to follow up with meals at all this city’s mouth-watering restaurants. I’m working on it – down to #7 on my list of participating restaurants as the magazine went to press.