Rocky DurhamSunrise Springs Spa Resort has announced the appointment of Rocky Durham as executive chef overseeing all food and beverage on-property. Durham draws on his Santa Fe upbringing and international culinary experience to prepare ingredient-driven dishes and a wealth of nourishing, healthy choices for the resort's all-inclusive guests and visiting diners alike. Durham, a fiercely proud New Mexican and lifelong culinarian, meticulously sources vibrant local ingredients for bountiful compositions in his New American West menus including herbs and vegetables from the on-site garden, and sister property Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs' two-acre farm. He looks forward to cultivating the well-known "three sisters" of corn, beans and squash to reflect the area's ancient cultural heritage. Starting on October 30, Durham will introduce Sunday brunch from 11am to 2pm for guests, visitors to Santa Fe and the local community, offering playful takes on classics such as Southwestern Benedict with Blue Corn Crepes, House-Cured Guajillo Bacon, Poached Egg and Roasted Tomatillo Hollandaise and Vegetable Latkes with Smoked Trout Rillettes and Horseradish Crème Fraîche. Born and raised in Santa Fe, Durham studied classical French technique at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. He then honed his skills in New Orleans at the renowned Royal Sonesta hotel before returning to Santa Fe as chef de cuisine at Santa café serving upscale southwestern cuisine. He then relocated to England and opened eight Santa Fe restaurants named for his hometown, and additionally wrote and presented the hit show "Plates from the States," a 50-part series exploring America's diverse, regional cuisine. He has also worked with "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" on the Travel Channel. Durham is the co-founder and executive chef of the Santa Fe Culinary Academy, where he trained chefs and culinary entrepreneurs, and still carries this tradition of leadership. When not at Sunrise Springs, Durham volunteers the Cooking with Kids program in local schools establishing healthy eating habits.