Traditionally, non-traditional.
Mamas + Papas Hospitality Group was founded with a passion for creating community-driven spaces that serve high-quality, chef-driven food and beverage in an approachable atmosphere. Our commitment to sustainability, responsible sourcing, and exceptional service defines every aspect of our guest experience.
Founded by Chefs Spencer White and Alex Figura alongside Operations Director LuLu Clair, our journey began in 2016 with Dio Mio, a counter-service concept that proved fine dining quality could exist without pretense and where exceptional dishes, great music, and good vibes are always at the forefront.
In 2021, we launched Redeemer Pizza, a sourdough pizza concept with an NYC-feel, focused on quality ingredients and long fermentation. With the debut of our third concept, Johnny Bechamel's, in 2024, we officially became Mamas + Papas Hospitality Group, blending the Chefs' fine dining expertise with Clair's background in experiential marketing.
At Mamas + Papas, hospitality means more than just service—it’s about connecting with our guests and making them feel at home. Across all our concepts, we prioritize creating a lively, enjoyable environment where guests can experience the same commitment to high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients that we’ve upheld since our fine dining roots.
THE TEAM
SPENCER WHITE
Chef Spencer White, a Colorado native steeped in Denver's culinary landscape, honed his craft in some of the city's most celebrated kitchens, including The Populist, Lower48, Luca d'Italia, and various Bonanno Concepts' restaurants. His thoughtful approach to cuisine earned him national recognition as a finalist in Zagat's prestigious '30 Under 30' list, and he was celebrated as one of Denver's Best Chefs in 5280 Magazine's 'Top of the Town 2017 Edition'. It was at Lower48 where he met future business partner Alex Figura, leading them to launch Dio Mio and eventually co-found Mama + Papa's Hospitality. White crafts dishes blend classical technique with genuine creativity, creating refined and deeply satisfying food. When he's not in the kitchen, he can be found fly fishing, rafting, or traveling the world with his partner.
ALEX FIGURA
Chef Alex Figura brings a wealth of global culinary expertise to Mama + Papa's Hospitality. His journey through world-renowned kitchens includes the three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York. Figura's passion for Italian cuisine was cultivated during his formative years at Philadelphia's acclaimed Vetri, widely regarded as one of America's premier Italian restaurants. He returned to Denver to lead the kitchen as Chef and Partner at Lower48 in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood, where he first collaborated with future business partner Spencer White—and the rest is history. When not in the kitchen, he embraces Colorado's outdoor lifestyle through mountain biking and snowboarding, practices jiu-jitsu, and spends time with his family and two dogs.
LULU CLAIR
Lulu Clair, born in Los Angeles and raised in Southwest Colorado, started her entrepreneurial journey at 18 by founding Souls In Action, a socially conscious event production company and artist collective. She quickly built expertise in event production, talent acquisition, and creative marketing, collaborating with industry giants like Warped Tour and Red Bull Sound Select, and Denver’s own Underground Music Festival. Though she has since stepped back from the music industry, she used this chapter to hone her skills in business operations, creative marketing, and people management. In 2016, Lulu transitioned to the restaurant industry, partnering with acclaimed chefs Spencer White and Alex Figura to open Dio Mio. This success was followed by the launch of Redeemer Pizza in 2021, and the trio’s latest venture, Johnny Bechamel’s, is set to open in 2025. Lulu’s expertise now spans restaurant operations, marketing, and team management, all driven by her passion for community-building and creating memorable experiences.