About
Inspired by indigenous ingredients and the spirit of the land, our menu is rooted in intentional cooking and a respect for tradition. Under the direction of Area Executive Chef Taylor McDaniel, family-style dining, heritage, and a commitment to quality ingredients shape an experience designed to be shared.
As Kachina evolves, our culinary direction draws inspiration from ingredients that have nourished indigenous communities throughout the Americas for generations. While we are not attempting to recreate Indigenous cuisine in a literal sense, these ingredients help ground our menu in a deeper connection to place, culture, and the spirit of the land.
Meet Executive Chef Taylor McDaniel
Originally from Houston, Texas, Chef Taylor McDaniel has lived in Denver for the past 4 years. After accepting the job of Area Executive Chef at The Maven in February 2026, he decided to rework the menu at Kachina to get back to its roots.
Chef Taylor pays homage to his Texan background as well as the cultural ideologies that Kachina was founded through utilization of locally sourced ingredients, taco platters served by the pound, and thoughtful menu curation.
He's excited to get back to the core of Kachina Cantina and strives to build meaningful relationships with organizations (learn more about our current partner, Spirit Of The Sun) as well as people to their food.
