About

A dynamic personality in the Aspen Food and Wine scene, Mawa McQueen first moved to Aspen, CO 2002 where she joined The Little Nell team, worked with a variety of catering companies, and opened the catering company, M & M Home Dining Services.  Focused on making food and wine more accessible, she launched The Kitchen Hotline in 2010.  Wine in Heels and Cooking with Care were then developed to further broaden people’s hands-on experience with food and wine.  She is a creative and forward-thinking individual with a flexible approach to hospitality service that makes her unique in the industry.

Originally from the Ivory Coast, Mawa was raised in Paris, where she earned her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. In England she worked as an Assistant Restaurant Manager and Food and Beverage Manager.  After moving to Maine she was a member of the opening team of the upscale fish restaurant, Stripers, and worked at the White Barn Inn, where former president George Bush, Sr. and family were delighted by her service.

Mirka Pawlitkova-Gamarra is from the Czech Republic, where she earned a degree in Hospitality. She has traveled throughout Europe extensively, where she worked as a tour guide for five years. Upon visiting Aspen, CO, she fell in love with the area and decided to stay. Before becoming a Property Manager for several prestigious clients in Aspen, she worked for several restaurants and catering companies. Her focus and attention to detail speak for themselves.

 

 

 

Chef Ulises Salas has more than 15 years experience as a chef, including work in pastries,  and bread making, at fine dining establishments, including a five-start, five-diamond resort.  His experience spans a wide variety of cuisines, including American, French, Mexican, Italian cuisines.

Chef Salas was the Chef de Cuisine/Pastry Chef at Jimmy’s American Steakhouse in Aspen from 2009 through 2011.  Prior to moving to Aspen, his work in the Denver area included Executive Chef at Alto Restaurant, Executive Sous Chef at Summit Restaurant at the Broadmoor Hotel, Executive Chef at 1515 Restaurant, and Co. Executive Chef at Le Central.

Chef Salas is pleased to be working with M&M Home Dining Services and Wine in Heels.