Being raised in a community where your history connects to every part of your present, it is difficult to find the courage to leave. It is similarly difficult to forge a path and stay. Questa del Rio News is committed to highlighting different members of our community, both those who have created their paths and planted their own roots in the community that raised them, and those who have pursued lives outside of the community—through our Representando series. This series is dedicated to those who are Representando communities in northern Taos County, in various facets of life.

For our December issue, we interviewed Brendalee (Vialpando) Reiplinger. Brendalee graduated from Questa High School in 2005. Ever since she was 15 years old, she had an interest in culinary arts and hospitality. “When I was very young, my cousin Jennifer Sanchez and I would make menus and set up a restaurant for my family,” she said with a laugh. “When I was a sophomore in high school, I told my parents that I wanted to go to culinary school and become a chef. My mom encouraged me to enroll in a culinary class at UNM Taos to see if it was something I really wanted to do.”

Upon graduation, Brendalee moved to Flagstaff near her sisters, while she attended the Art Institute of Los Angeles remotely. She worked at the Little America Hotel, which was her first experience working in hospitality first-hand. “It was that winter after graduating that I had the opportunity to move to California and attend school on-campus in Santa Monica.”

While attending school in California, she worked two jobs to make rent. “I worked as a Line Cook at Beacon Restaurant for a couple years, and that’s when it was suggested to me to make a move to Las Vegas, Nevada.” Brendalee went on to work for Joel Robuchon at the MGM Resorts and Casino as she turned 21 years old. Robuchon has been coined as the ‘Chef of the Century.’ As well as being a part of the opening of Aria Resort and Casino at Julian Serrano Restaurant. “I spent much of my time learning how to cook in restaurants, it really helped me develop strong skills and experience which have served me well in my current role.”

While living and working in Las Vegas, Brendalee met her now husband Jason Reiplinger who also works in the hospitality industry. In 2013 they moved to San Francisco, CA. After nearly 4 years of cooking at the St. Regis Hotel and TORC in Napa, Brendalee had a great opportunity to join Woodside Hotel Group in her first Executive Sous Chef role, in 2016. Brendalee and her husband have worked for the Woodside Hotel Group in California for the past decade, with the exception of a stint in Colorado between 2022-2023. “Woodside Hotel Group is really a home for both of us. I work as the Executive Chef, and my husband is the Managing Director of the company’s flagship property on the Sonoma coast in Bodega Bay. It holds a soft spot for both of us,” she adds.

While much of her career has been in California, Nevada and Colorado, Brendalee’s passion for hospitality comes from her upbringing in Questa. “When our families would get together for the holidays, it was always centered around food. I grew up in a household that was incredibly encouraging and supportive. I credit a lot of any success I have to how and where I was raised. My mom is the most hospitable person I have ever met, she taught me how to cook, welcome family and how powerful food can be. My dad is the hardest working person I know, and every day I try to emulate that. I am incredibly proud to be from New Mexico, I bring it up as often as I can. Questa is a place of respite for me. When I come home, I seek tranquility and most of all family time. I love the community I grew up in. No question, it has helped shape who I am today.

Best of all, when I come home, I don’t cook as my family treats me to the best of northern New Mexico cooking. Yes, I come with plenty of requests,” Brendalee says with a smile.

When asked what she would tell others who may be interested in pursuing a career as a chef, she says, “Seek to understand what the craft truly is while also understanding the career path you may need to take. It’s important to take chances and live outside your comfort zone. It will help you grow. Most importantly, do not give up!”