COME TO LIFE Mawa’s Kitchen in Aspen Tunisian, Moroccan and Arabic neighbors, who shared their culture’s teas, couscous, honey cakes and tagines with McQueen and her 10 younger siblings. “Our only currency when we were in the ghetto was food. We shared culture, we shared things,” McQueen said. “I didn’t know it was a gift and the more I remembered, the more I was craving that flavor.” Inspired to be more true to her French and African roots, she began incorporating more Mediterranean food into her cooking while maintaining a hyper-seasonal menu with local ingredients. Now, she has a growing empire on her hands. In addition to Mawa’s Kitchen, the Latin-inspired Mawita, two Crepe Shacks, her private-chef catering service and health-focused granola brand, GrainFreeNola, she’s expanding beyond the Rockies Playground. A Mawa’s Kitchen and two more Crepe Shacks are set to open in Denver this year. Lee is also expanding with a third iteration of his ramen restaurant, Uncle, opening at Denver International Airport this year. Looking back to when he opened his first restaurant 12 years ago, he’s recognizing that he may not be the “cool kid on the block” anymore as a new generation of chefs is rising in Colorado and he finds himself in a place of giving advice, rather than seeking it. “It’s more exciting for me to see what the newer, younger chefs are trying,” Lee said. “They have less to lose because they’re just starting out, but it’s cool that they’re not sticking to the same formula that everyone in the past has.” “In 10 years we’re going to be competing with New York,” McQueen added. “It’s amazing, if you go to Denver, there’s amazing, refined choices … I think people need to watch out, we’re coming and we’re coming with style.” MAWA’S KITCHEN 108 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2025: Page 108
