MAWA'S KITCHEN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CFO
- Managing Partner
- CFO and Managing Partner of McQueen Hospitality
Originally from Berlin, Germany Daniel started his career as an apprentice at The Hotel Bornmuehle after getting his hotel & restaurant management degree. His passion for wine moved him to spend more time in the restaurant where he executed all food and beverage including private functions, meetings, and events.
Daniel's friends recruited him from Germany to come to the United States to work at the famous White Barn Inn restaurant in Kennebunkport Maine. In a few years, he worked his way up from server to Food and Beverage Director. While working at the White Barn Inn restaurant, Daniel opened a few sister properties; an Italian restaurant called Grisini, an upscale Fish & Seafood restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine called Stripers, and Muse by Jonathan Cartwright at the well-known Vanderbilt Grace Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island.
Daniel met his wife Mawa while they were both working in Kennebunkport. In 2012, Daniel was asked to be part of the opening team for the new Hotel Jerome and Prospect Restaurant in Aspen, Colorado. During this time, Daniel was also working at McQueen Hospitality as the Catering Manager. When the business started growing quickly, Daniel left Jerome to concentrate on the family business.
Today, Daniel is the CFO and Managing Partner of McQueen Hospitality, LLC.
Aspen Colorado's dynamic and beloved Chef Mawa is a successful restaurateur and entrepreneur who is unapologetic about her African, French, and American roots. Mawa's passion is creating dishes that are balanced, healthy, locally sourced, organic food your body craves.
Her flagship restaurant, Mawa's Kitchen, in Aspen, is a favorite spot for both locals and seasonal visitors. The Crepe Shack, an instant hit for Mawa, opened in December 2018 in the new Snowmass Base Village Ski Resort.
In 2019, food photographer, Alan "Battman" Batt, honored Mawa by selecting her to be featured in his newest cookbook SAVOR; Extraordinary Diversity of Black Chef which highlights 101 of the most talented chefs in America.
Despite COVID-19, in 2020, Mawa received the Colorado Governor's Minority Business Award for McQueen Hospitality. In January 2021, Mawa launched her snack brand, GrainFreeNola, to keep her restaurant open and her staff employed due to COVID-19. She has been working on this ultra-healthy Paleo, Keto, Gluten-Free, and Vegan granola since 2016.
Born in Ivory Coast, Zak has called Aspen his home for 12 years. Zak came to McQueen Hospitality in February 2020, with an extensive background in customer service and airline operational management over his 10 years at Aspen Airport.
Zak is a proud father of a lovely daughter, who enjoys traveling, learning, and discovering cultures through the taste of their finest foods. Zak loves mountain biking and running in his free time.
One of the things he enjoys most at Mawa's Kitchen is learning about wine and cocktails so he can offer an elevated level of support and service to our guests.