About TABLE — The table, whether it’s in the kitchen, set beautifully in the dining room, or in the backyard for a summer soiree, is where we come to share life. TABLE acts as the platform, and the forum for exploring the most progressive, creative, curious, unexpected and culturally rich topics every season.
Whether it be our vibrant food culture, a cutting-edge design scene, a growing neighborhood, or a flourishing educational climate, what we discuss around TABLE will always spark deeper conversation, consideration, and exploration.
WHO WE ARE
Justin Matase and Keith Recker
Keith Recker | Editor in Chief
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Keith Recker boomeranged back to Pittsburgh after 30 years in New York, Rome, San Francisco, and elsewhere. During that time, he was VP of home furnishings at Gump’s San Francisco, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue; he wrote The Twentieth Century in Color (Chronicle Books, 2012), True Colors: World Masters of Natural Dyes and Pigments (Schiffer Books, revised second edition, September 2020) and Deep Color: The Shades That Shape Our Souls (Schiffer Books, October 2022); provided color intelligence to industry leaders Pantone, WGSN, Stylus, and others; and worked in artisan business development in almost 60 countries. Contact
Justin Matase | Publisher
Justin has spent his career in news publishing and technology, most recently serving as associate publisher of the Pittsburgh City Paper, where he led the organization into a leading digital-first news organization in the region. He has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, Association of Alternative Newsmedia, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he is currently the vice chair of the advisory board and oversees the finance committee of The Pitt News, the student newspaper. Contact
CONTRIBUTORS
Michael Benanav | Photographer
Dixon resident Michael is an award-winning writer and photographer for the New York Times and other publications, and is the author of (most recently) Himalaya Bound: One Family’s Quest to Save Their Animals and an Ancient Way of Life.
Lynn Cline | Writer
The award-winning author of The Maverick Cookbook: Iconic Recipes and Tales From New Mexico, Lynn has written for the New York Times, Sunset, New Mexico Magazine, and many other publications. She’s the host of Cline’s Corner, a weekly talk show on KSFR Santa Fe public radio 101.1 FM.
Ungelbah Dávila | Writer
Ungelbah is an award-winning writer and photographer and owner of Silver Moon Studio in Bosque Farms, NM, a safe space for artists, dreamers, makers, and misfits. She’s as New Mexican as Green Chile Apple Pie.
Emily Esterson | Writer
Emily writes articles, coaches authors, and edits high-end custom magazines for clients such as National Geographic Museum and Albuquerque Museum. She came to Albuquerque 22 years ago for a job as editor of the New Mexico Business Weekly, intending to stay two years. She’s still here.
Wendy Ilene Friedman | Writer
Wendy moved to Santa Fe more than a decade ago. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” she says. Her writing has appeared in the New York Daily News, the New York Times, and San Francisco Chronicle. In her free time, you can find her trail riding with her Spanish Mustang.
Julia Goldberg | Writer
Julia is a senior correspondent at the Santa Fe Reporter, covering science, technology, and other topics. She previously served as the paper’s editor, teaches writing at the Santa Fe Community College and elsewhere, and is the author of Inside Story: Everyone’s Guide to Reporting and Writing.
Gabe Gomez | Writer
Gabe is the Online and Social Media Editor at TABLE Magazine. He is the author of two poetry collections and a marketing executive at the University of New Mexico Foundation. A resident of Santa Fe, he will be teaching poetry at the Leopardi Writing Conference in Recanati, Italy, this summer.
Alex Hanna | Regional Editor
Alex has his own design and marketing company and serves as Editorial Coordinator for TABLE Magazine New Mexico, a job he took precisely so he could have the excuse to explore all the joys of the Land of Enchantment more deeply.
Mara Christian Harris | Writer
Mara is a marketing and communications professional who recently retired from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. She has been a resident of Santa Fe for 23 years and loves to explore the city and the state.
Tira Howard | Contributing Editor
Tira thrives on creating images at the intersection of food and fashion. The beauty of food and the people who feed us is endlessly inspiring to her and guides her photography into the realm of emotion and storytelling.
Cheryl Alters Jamison | Contributing Editor
This four-time James Beard award-winner moved from the Midwest to the Southwest more than 40 years ago, in search of chile-laced food and ski slopes. Her 20 cookbooks include Tasting New Mexico, The Rancho de Chimayó Cookbook, and The Border Cookbook. She works with Hutton Broadcasting, hosting the weekly food radio show, Heating it Up.
Kelly Koepke | Writer
Kelly is a Santa Fe-based freelance writer who loves New Mexico’s light, culture, and green chile. Santa Fe summers are her favorite because of the markets, festivals, and glorious sunsets.
Gabriella Marks | Photographer
Gabriella is a lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Santa Fe with an irrepressible obsession for all things food. She serves as vice chair on the National Board of ASMP, the American Society of Media Photographers.
Douglas Merriam | Photographer
Doug is a travel, food, resort, and lifestyle photographer with a passion for anything food-related. He published Farm Fresh Journey, The Santa Fe Farmers Market Cookbook (farmfreshjourney.com), now in its second printing, and splits his time between New Mexico and Maine.
Daniel Quat | Photographer
Daniel has been a professional photographer for over 40 years — first in New York City and then in Santa Fe, NM. His love of Santa Fe’s multicultural world inspires his work in food, restaurants, music, crafts, and events.
Audrey Rubinstein | Writer
Audrey is a writer, performing artist, and publicist. She is passionate about promoting living artists and developing unique story angles that reflect a diverse and inclusive American Southwest.