Meet the Team Bringing You Exceptional Dining Experiences
Join us as we celebrate diversity, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship.
At La Luna @ La Fonda, every plate tells a story — one of heritage, collaboration, and purpose.
La Luna isn’t just a place to savor exceptional food; it’s a living testament to what happens when passion and perseverance unite. Founded by Maria Valdez and Chef Robin Valdez, our team embodies the power of partnership — blending Indigenous traditions, global technique, and heartfelt community engagement into an experience that transcends dining.
Here, culinary innovation meets cultural restoration. Each member of our team contributes their craft, voice, and creativity toward a shared vision: to honor the foods of the Americas before borders, and to carry that legacy forward through sustainability, authenticity, and hospitality.
From the kitchen to the front of the house, from growers to guests, La Luna is a circle — a shared table — where every story matters. Experience the magic that happens when food becomes more than sustenance; it becomes connection.
Chef Robin: Crafting Culinary Wonders
Chef Bio — Chef Robin Valdez
Executive Chef & Co-Owner, La Luna @ La Fonda
Born and raised in the Taos region, Chef Robin Valdez brings deep roots and lived experience to his Indigenous-forward cuisine. His culinary path began humbly — in mobile kitchens and private homes — where he and his business partner and spouse, Maria Valdez, built their first enterprise alongside the late Chef Jean Antoine Galpeau, operating under the name Jean Antoine’s Mobile Café.
After Chef Jean’s passing, the pair rebranded in 2012 as Maria Galeau & Chef Robin Valdez, transitioning into a private chef venture that brought fine dining directly into people’s homes. With little more than their knives, groceries, and creativity, the duo created bespoke dinners for intimate gatherings and large private events across New Mexico.
Within three years, their work began drawing national attention — including a letter from the James Beard Foundation, inviting them to become members after Robin’s private event cuisine was flagged for potential recognition. This invitation sparked their next evolution: establishing a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Partnering initially with Passion Latin Fusion in Albuquerque, they found their culinary voice in a rotating world-cuisine menu that maintained a 50% vegan offering, a balance of flavor and consciousness that would define their later work.
Following the pandemic, Robin and Maria refocused their vision. They closed multiple rotating ventures to devote themselves fully to a single concept — one that honored Indigenous ingredients and foodways. In March 2024, they opened La Luna @ La Fonda inside the historic La Fonda Hotel in Taos Plaza, officially decolonizing their menu later that year to reflect a 100% Indigenous-forward approach.
Chef Robin’s mission is as personal as it is cultural. His work in decolonizing cuisine — using ingredients native to the Americas and eliminating colonial imports — has not only transformed La Luna’s menu but has also profoundly influenced his family’s health journey. Through the restaurant’s philosophy of intentional, ancestral cooking, the Valdezes have seen firsthand the healing and functional benefits of returning to Indigenous food systems.
Today, Chef Robin Valdez continues to advocate for the creation of an Indigenous Cuisine category within the James Beard Awards, championing representation for Indigenous chefs whose work transcends the regional “Southwestern” label. His vision for La Luna extends far beyond the kitchen: it’s a movement to restore identity, sovereignty, and connection through food — one plate, one story, one community at a time.
Maria: The Heartbeat of La Luna @ La Fonda
Meet Maria Valdez, the visionary entrepreneur behind the captivating La Luna @ La Fonda. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Maria’s journey led her to the vibrant streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her unwavering dedication to the culinary world, combined with her love for the city’s charm, laid the foundation for a thriving business that celebrates community, culture, and culinary excellence.
A Vision Uniting Culinary Excellence and Community
Maria and Chef Robin form a powerhouse at La Luna @ La Fonda , combining their unique strengths to bring the restaurant’s vision to life.
Maria’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to community and culture set the foundation for a space where flavors thrive and dreams become reality.
Meanwhile, Chef Robin’s impressive culinary expertise, honed over 27 years in New Mexico, brings a depth of flavor and innovation to every dish.
Together, Maria’s passion for creating exceptional dining experiences and Chef Robin’s culinary artistry unite to curate unforgettable moments where history meets innovation on every plate. Their shared commitment to excellence and their ability to harmonize tradition with creativity make them the driving force behind La Luna’s success.