How long is the event?

The performance and dinner run about three hours; check-in is at Dave’s Jazz Bistro at the Santa Fe School of Cooking.

Is seating reserved or general admission?

Seating is intimate and best secured in advance by reservation; contact the host to confirm table assignments.

Are children allowed?

Age policies aren’t specified in the listing—contact the Santa Fe School of Cooking or Dave’s Jazz Bistro directly if you plan to bring younger guests.

Can the kitchen accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes—mention allergies or dietary needs when you reserve so the chefs can plan substitutions around the seasonal menu.

Is the venue accessible?

Accessibility details were not provided in the listing; inquire with the venue ahead of time for specific accommodations.

How do I buy tickets?

Book through the provided referral link or the Santa Fe School of Cooking reservation system; headline nights often sell out, so early booking is recommended.

Dinner and Jazz with Hillary Smith at Dave's Jazz Bistro, Santa Fe

On a cool Santa Fe evening, Dave’s Jazz Bistro at the Santa Fe School of Cooking opens its low-lit dining room to a crowd that’s come for more than a meal. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico— the high-desert capital with the Sangre de Cristo peaks framing the eastern horizon—this three‑hour event pairs a fall-inspired tasting menu with the soulful voice of Hillary Smith and a world-class trio.

The room is intimate by design: close tables, low stage, and clear sightlines that turn every phrase and phrase into a shared moment. Smith, a 2021 inductee into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, brings gospel-rooted range and storytelling to jazz, blues, and soul; pianist John Rangel, bassist Gordon Johnson, and drummer Joe Chellman add a flexible, seasoned backbone that shifts from delicate ballad to driving groove without missing a beat. The band’s dynamics reward attentive listening, and the Bistro’s acoustic profile keeps the sound immediate and warm.

What makes this evening a standout in Santa Fe is the intersection of two local strengths: a living musical tradition and a culinary scene rooted in local ingredients. Chefs from the School of Cooking prepare a fall-inspired meal—think roasted root vegetables, New Mexican chiles, and seasonal herbs—that complements the music’s textures and pace. The experience feels less like a concert and more like a sustained conversation between musicians, chefs, and guests.

The setting also reflects the region: adobe walls, handcrafted wood, and windows that hint at high-desert light and piñon-studded slopes. If you arrive early, you can sense the city’s layered history—Spanish colonial plazas and Pueblo structures dating back to Santa Fe’s early 17th-century charter—woven into a modern night out.

Practicalities matter: the event runs about three hours and checks in at Dave’s Jazz Bistro. Seating is intimate, so reserve in advance; arrive early to settle into your table and to order drinks. Dress is smart-casual; this is a listening room where attention enhances the evening. For travelers, combine the show with an afternoon walk along Canyon Road galleries or an early morning hike in the Sangre Cristos for a full Santa Fe weekend.

Expect a set list that balances standards and original arrangements, with interludes of storytelling that frame each number. The Bistro programs themed evenings around holidays and seasonal ingredients; menu changes reflect local harvests. Tickets sell quickly for headline nights, so book early and mention any dietary needs when you reserve to ensure the kitchen can accommodate.

This dinner-concert is ideal for listeners who love live music, thoughtful food, and a night where performance and provenance meet. It’s a distinctly Santa Fe evening—rooted in place, rich in craft, and designed to leave you talking long after the final encore.

About Santa Fe School of Cooking

Santa Fe School of Cooking is a culinary education and event company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school offers a diverse schedule of hands-on and demonstration cooking classes, themed dinners, and collaborative musical dining events. Classes range from technique-focused demonstrations to hands-on sessions that teach traditional New Mexican, Mexican, and border-region recipes. Students learn dishes such as chilaquiles, corn pudding, cream of green chile soup, carne tampiqueña, tacos al pastor, and salsa macha, and explore ingredients like achiote, lime, apricot, eggplant, and green chile.

The school partners with local venues and cultural organizations to present unique dinner concerts and festival collaborations. Featured events include jazz evenings at Dave’s Jazz Bistro with performers such as Delbert Anderson, Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim with the John Rangel Trio, Robby Beasley, Dr. Chris Buckholz, Eddie Daniels, and Lee Musiker. The program has also collaborated with the Santa Fe Indian Market and the New Mexico Jazz Festival, pairing live music and poetry with menus inspired by Native culinary traditions.

Instruction is led by experienced chefs and culinary professionals who design curated menus for holiday dinners, healthy seasonal menus, vegetarian offerings, and culturally rooted tasting menus. The school emphasizes authentic regional flavors, practical techniques, and convivial dining experiences. Visitors and students can expect clear instruction, thoughtfully sourced recipes, and opportunities to taste and take home new skills. Santa Fe School of Cooking focuses on culinary education, cultural connection, and memorable food-centered events. Classes accommodate home cooks and visiting travelers seeking authentic regional cooking experiences and techniques.