We sat down with Executive Chef Robert Willits of Vernon’s Speakeasy in Los Ranchos, New Mexico. Vernon’s Speakeasy isn’t just a meal—it’s a high-end dining experience hidden behind a secret door, shaped by a chef who learned the craft from the ground up. It’s where New Mexico hospitality meets world-class steakhouse precision, and where travelers enjoy a night that feels both exclusive and deeply grounded in New Mexico tradition.
You started at Vernon’s as a dishwasher. What do you remember most?
Honestly, how serious it was. Even when washing dishes, you could feel the pressure of service. Everyone cared. I watched how the cooks moved, how they talked, and how they fixed things without stopping. That’s where I really started learning…