Terra, the restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, offers a hands-on chef’s table experience where guests not only dine but also participate in preparing a multi-course tasting menu. Limited to a small group, the event pairs each guest with a member of the kitchen team under the guidance of Executive Chef Andrew Cooper. Throughout the interactive session, Chef Cooper shares professional techniques, explains the workflow of a resort kitchen and gives participants the chance to call out orders and help expedite tickets, providing a real behind-the-scenes look at restaurant operations.
Recently renovated at a cost of $50,000, the chef’s table area now features new tiling, a custom-built granite slab table, pendant lighting and an LCD monitor that highlights the restaurant’s story and culinary philosophy. The Chef’s Table experience lasts about four hours and includes an eight- to 12-course tasting menu. The interactive format encourages guests to engage with each course as it is prepared and plated, making it both an educational and social dining event.
Pricing for the Chef’s Table is $150 per person, with wine pairings offered for an additional fee. The experience accommodates between two and 10 participants and requires a minimum 24-hour advance reservation. In addition to the in-kitchen experience, the resort’s culinary program features chef-led activities such as guided visits to local farms and shopping excursions with the chef at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, giving guests an opportunity to explore regional ingredients and the local food community.
Terra’s hands-on Chef’s Table blends fine dining with practical instruction, ideal for food enthusiasts who want to deepen their cooking skills while enjoying an elevated tasting menu in an intimate, well-appointed setting.