Chef Kwame Onwuachi is taking his culinary talents to Las Vegas, NV!
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the James Beard Award-winning chef opened the Afro-Caribbean restaurant Dōgon inside the luxury hotel Salamander in Washington, DC, on Sept. 9, 2024. Two years before, he had opened his flagship Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi in New York City, NY, which earned the top spot as the city’s best restaurant, per The New York Times.
Now, Onwuachi is spreading his wings yet again, this time with Maroon, a Caribbean steakhouse that will be opening at the Sahara Las Vegas.
“We were intentional in selecting Kwame Onwuachi as our partner for the next chapter of Sahara Las Vegas’ culinary journey,” Sahara owner Alex Meruelo told Travel + Leisure. “His incomparable fusion of storytelling, culture, and outstanding cuisine is uniquely captivating. Maroon will not only advance chef Kwame’s personal vision but also revolutionize the current steakhouse experience on the Strip and beyond.”
As for what customers can expect, jerk rubs, dry-aged cuts, scotch bonnet-infused sauces, and grilled seafood will be featured on the menu, all marrying Onwuachi’s West African, Jamaican, and Creole roots. Furthermore, from the menu down to the name of the establishment, Onwuachi wants the restaurant to honor the enslaved Africans who escaped and found refuge in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Their descendants are known as the Maroons of Jamaica.
“The Maroons didn’t just run,” Onwuachi said, according to Travel + Leisure. “They thrived. They created something new, something powerful, out of pain and resistance. That energy — that story — is what this restaurant is about.”
He continued, “This isn’t just about food. It’s about telling the stories that haven’t been told. It’s about honoring a legacy and recognizing that the food we’re putting on these plates has a deeper meaning. It’s not just a meal — it’s history, it’s resilience, and it’s a testament to the strength of those who came before us.”
What’s more, the restaurant marks the first of its kind on the Las Vegas strip. It is reportedly the first restaurant led by a Black chef. While Onwuachi acknowledges the feat, he is more focused on bringing opportunity to others.
“It’s not just about being the first,” Onwuachi expressed, per Travel and Leisure. “It’s about making sure we’re not the last. It’s about opening the door and then holding it open for others.”
