Mawa McQueen is the passionate owner and James Beard nominated executive chef of several esteemed restaurants across Colorado, including MICHELIN Guide recommended Mawa’s Kitchen, Mawita, and Crepe Therapy Café. In addition to her restaurants and a highly successful catering business, Mawa is also the founder of Mawa’s GrainFreeNola, is a delicious gluten-free, vegan granola crafted from the highest quality organic nuts and seeds, sweetened with Medjool dates. Her diverse life experiences, which began on the Ivory Coast and continued in France, have laid the groundwork for her deep-seated passion for providing food and comfort to individuals from all backgrounds.

Driven by a desire to inspire through her food and personal narrative, Mawa released her cookbook, Mawa’s Way, which features a collection of fan-favorite recipes from Mawa’s Kitchen, along with her story of perseverance in pursuit of one’s dreams. In 2024, she authored Unstoppable Ambition, a motivational book published in both French and English, which further explores her remarkable journey and the transformative power of ambition and resilience. This was followed in 2025 by the Unstoppable Workbook: Mapping Out Your Mindset for Success, a practical guide designed to assist readers in their personal development.

Beyond her roles as an executive chef, entrepreneur, and business strategist, Chef Mawa is committed to making a positive impact on her communities. In April 2025, she was honored with the Award for Excellence from the national nonprofit Spoons Across America for her efforts in empowering others through food education, mentorship, and her initiatives to uplift underprivileged communities while celebrating diverse cuisines. In addition to advocating for Africa and its people through her work and service with nonprofits Brake the Cycle and Action in Africa, she currently serves on the Isaacson School Executive Advisory Board, Ment’or Culinary Council, and Sylvia Center Culinary Council.