Although Dawn long had a dream to have a catering business, the dream did not come easy. Dawn worked in several different fields throughout her life, and always felt drawn back to the artistry found in food. After the death of her husband when her daughters, Sadona and Vitalia, were both toddlers, she searched for a way to provide for her children while maintaining a flexible schedule. It was then that she was drawn to catering. She put her heart and soul into fulfilling her dream, and remembers a time in the early years, when her young daughters would sleep on cots in the kitchen while she cooked through the night. Her tenacity and hard work paid off. Today, 20- year-old Sadona is still by her side in the kitchen, and now serves as vice president of the company.

To ensure authenticity of her fare, Dawn does not rely on a staff of rotating chefs, but instead employs five family members, all women, all of whom she has personally trained. “Keeping it consistent is crucial,” she maintains, and by keeping her kitchen staff to a minimum she is able to assure the client of her personal attention through every step of an event. Dawn also employs a “skeleton crew” of servers, bartenders, and clean-up help.

Dawn says she will not sacrifice quality for sake of her business’ bottom line. She insists on using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. All meat is fresh cut, never frozen, and cooked only moments before serving to ensure excellence of both flavor and presentation. Sheri Armstrong, director of events for Los Poblanos Inn in Albuquerque, attests to that excellence, saying, “Her passion for food is evident. Everything she makes is completely from scratch, and always so fresh.” Penny Rembe, owner of Los Poblanos Inn, concurs, adding, Dawn has the “best-seasoned food of all—and gives the best value for the price. The woman can do anything. She is amazing.”

In a world of corporate expansion and franchise, Dawn believes individual attention to the customer has been lost. No event is too large or too small for Dawn, and she thrives on the creativity a challenge brings to her. Whether the challenge is an intricately, hand-painted and decadent cake, chocolate sculptures, or authentic ethnic foods from around the world, her artistry transcends through each creation. She is able to organize and coordinate every element of a gathering from start to finish, with no request too complex. Dawn is involved in every detail—from personally selecting each of the ingredients, to baking fresh breads, to creating the ambiance by staging the location. Her business also offers fresh made boxed lunches at an affordable price.

Dawn is committed to exceeding expectations, regardless of the venue, through extraordinary cuisine and impeccable service, while doing “whatever it takes” to delight her clients. “Every time my name is mentioned in a positive way I become more powerful—and no amount of money can buy that!” she says.

Ellen Welker, external relations manager for Albuquerque’s Explora museum, says Dawn “is a joy to work with. She always provides something unique, something creative and yummy.” Maria Griego-Raby, president of Contract Associates, has called on Dawn numerous times and declares, “She is a real pleasure to work with. She goes above and beyond to provide magnificent food, and will work with you to meet your budget.”

Themed parties, special events, or corporate meetings - Dawn Sanchez Creations runs the gamut. Recently a woman requested an event with a complete Russian theme, and after researching the customary flavors and spices of the country, Dawn pulled off an exceptional party that included Russian décor.

With the film industry on the rise in Albuquerque, Dawn has been sought out by some of Hollywood’s elite. She has enjoyed catering for several “A-list” stars, while maintaining complete confidentiality.

While happy to accommodate any culinary request, traditional foods of the Southwest are her favorites to prepare and eat. Dawn creates slight variations on the classics to produce her own distinctive elegance, as in her signature dish of blue corn tamales. “The way we cook is so unique,” she says. Her ultimate goal is to stimulate all of the senses with her presentation while providing the client with every aspect of their vision. She prepares each meal as if it will be served to a cherished family member, and appreciates the client who “recognizes the artistry of food.”

Creating healthy selections is also an integral factor in her business. Dawn is happy to accommodate special dietary requirements, including vegetarian or all-organic foods. She often modifies traditional recipes to use extra virgin olive oil in lieu of lard, saying, “I’m trying to take our foods that are very traditional and make them healthier, and take them to another level.”

In addition to using her own 2,400- square-foot commercial kitchen on Second Street at Osuna, she is open to using on-site kitchens for preparation to ensure freshness and a flawless presentation. At times, she will sneak out the door moments before the meal is served, allowing the client to take credit. She is willing to cater in any setting, including a recent event where she organized an elegant banquet in the middle of a fragrant lavender field.

The happiest moments for Dawn are when her family is all together cooking, and at times, singing in the kitchen. Her vibrant spirit is contagious, and she demands only positive energy in her kitchen. When not in the kitchen, you may find her enjoying serenity in her “jungle in the middle of the desert,” which is how she describes her greenhouse, or on her motorcycle, when she likes to “ride like the wind.”

With no plan of ever becoming “corporate,” Dawn does plan to diversify. In October, she unveiled her website, www.dawnsanchezcreations.com, which introduced her mail order program. She plans to make some of her products available nationally, including lavender chocolates and traditional biscochitos.

Dawn is resolved to do whatever it takes to maintain the integrity of her business. When asked where she would like to see her business in the future she replies, “I hope and pray that we never lose our authenticity. I would sacrifice money and fame to keep from losing the genuineness of my business. I will work for 24 hours a day—until I can’t stand—to keep from losing that!”

Contact Dawn Sanchez Creations at (505) 242-4101.

Gail Florence is a freelance writer living in Rio Rancho. She can be reached at gailannef@aol.com.