Mountain Mayhem: Mawa & Friends

Aspen-based Chef Mawa McQueen of Michelin-recommended Mawa’s in Aspen, as well as its sister restaurants Mawita’s in Snowmass and The Crepe Shack in Aspen and Snowmass, introduced a guest chef series this summer to celebrate a range of talent, presenting global cuisine. There’s still time to enjoy this scintillating series.

The program was designed to honor notable forces in the culinary world — from James Beard Award-nominees to MasterChef winners to the next generation of culinary influences — and bring a style of cooking that adds to the dining options in the area and engages guests who get to meet the talent behind each menu.

Visiting chefs create a multi-course menu, which at times has a wine pairing from a visiting vineyard and/or benefits a non-profit organization. In late July, I had the pleasure of dining at Mawa’s when cheerful chef Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk in Houston was in town, presenting his native Nigerian cuisine, noted for its smoky and spicy flavors, vegetables, dumplings, and more. That evening also served as a benefit for Action in Africa (AIA), with Mondavi Wines and Woody Creek Distillers offering pairings and Action in Africa’s founder Sarah Nininger as a host and Mawa as an AIA Ambassador.

Additionally, Chef Helen Nguyen from Saigon Social NYC presented a four-course menu of Vietnamese food with a twist, and Chef Tiana Gee served her Filipino-Soul food fusion menu.

Next up is Chef Shorne Benjamin with his New Age Caribbean Cuisine on Aug. 29 at Mawita in Snowmass and Aug. 30 at Mawa’s Kitchen; Chef Vicky Colas serves Haitian cuisine on Sept. 6 at Mawita’s in Snowmass Village and on Sept. 7 at Mawa’s Kitchen. 

My advice: Don’t miss this savory series. 

mawaskitchen.com.