Corrales chef featured on ‘Chopped’ TV show

In June, Forty Nine Forty’s executive chef Javier Montano appeared in an episode of the TV series “Chopped.”

Forty Nine Forty is an upscale restaurant in Corrales that offers elevated American cuisine and is home to one of the newest “Chopped” alumni.

“Chopped” is a reality-based cooking television game show on the Food Network which premiered in 2009. In the show, four chefs compete in a three-round contest for a chance to win a cash prize. Montano made it to the final round and represented New Mexico well.

“It was enlightening to have a newfound respect for anyone who does those competitions; they really test you,” Montano said. “You’re sleep-deprived, you’re in a new area, unfamiliar situation, then they’re like, ‘Here, cook this-this-and this with these crazy ingredients.’ It was a blast.”

Montano appeared in season 54’s episode “Home on the Range,” which aired on June 23.

“Wasn’t very ranch-y because it was shot in Queens, New York … I was the only guy wearing a cowboy hat on the subway,” Montano jokingly said.

Montano has more than 30 years of cooking experience; he found out that he really loved cooking in his early 20s and started his culinary career in Albuquerque in the 1990s.

“Grew up here in Albuquerque, in a dysfunctional situation, so cooking saved me. Cooking was a surrogate family and had the structure that I needed while doing something fun,” Montano said.

Montano has worked at numerous restaurants in New Mexico, including Scalo, the very first Il Vicino, Coyote Cafe, and he spent 18 years in California working at renowned restaurants including Rubicon, Acquerello, Dio Deka and Limon.

Montano’s food truck, Malaguena’s Latin Tapas, even won Edible New Mexico’s local hero award for “Best Food Truck” in 2019.

“Travel, work your butt off, learn as much as you can, really retain that knowledge, come up with a style, and do something that’s uniquely yours … what makes you stand out?” Montano advises any aspiring chefs.

Montano is now the executive chef at Forty Nine Forty and says it’s well worth the trip.

“We are here. It’s worth a trip. If you value a proper sit-down with three courses … come in, relax and let us take care of you,” Montano said.

‘Chopped’s’ season 54 episode “Home on the Range” can be streamed on Max, Prime Video and other streaming services.