Florence Jaramillo was known by many simply as “Mrs. J”. The beloved owner of Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante passed away last week at her home in Chimayó at the age of 94. She was a mother, grandmother, friend, visionary, businesswoman, author, philanthropist, and community leader. It’s impossible to overstate the impact she made not only on the culinary world but also on her community.
The Legendary Florence Jaramillo
She worked tirelessly to preserve the traditions and culture of Northern New Mexico and countless people not only worked at her restaurant but came to see it and her as part of the heart of their community. Florence always said, “God blessed me with one child, but gave me thousands of children to raise.”
She opened Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante – which is about to celebrate its 60th birthday in October – with her former husband Arturo Jaramillo, in the restored home of his grandparents Hermenegildo and Trinidad Jaramillo. Among her many achievements, she was named a New Mexico Culinary Treasure in 2014 and awarded the 2016 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award.
Leaving a Mark
One person whose life Florence touched was James Beard award-winning food writer Cheryl Alters Jamison. “Florence and I worked on two book projects – the two editions of her Rancho de Chimayó Cookbook – 25 years apart.” Jamison says they kept up a steady friendship between the two and after. “She had tremendous vision and was always decisive, as well as good fun to work with. I will miss her terribly,” she says.
“I really owe my culinary career to her. She took a chance on my late husband Bill and me writing what turned out to be our very first cookbook for her.”
Up until about a month ago, Mrs J was at the restaurant daily, greeting longtime customers, meeting new ones, and ensuring that the restaurant ran to her standards, and doing it all with her renown radiant smile.
Funeral arrangements and a celebration of her life are pending announcement.
Story by Julia Platt Leonard
Photos Courtesy of Chris Corrie
