February 8th 2024.
Just a few months after settling into the bustling West End of London, Chishuru, a West African restaurant, has achieved the highly coveted Michelin star. This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone for the self-taught chef, Adejoké "Joké" Bakare. "I'm at a loss for words, which is quite rare for me," exclaimed Bakare in disbelief upon learning of the award on February 5th.
For Bakare, this journey has been a remarkable one. She opened Chishuru in 2020 after winning a local cooking competition, running the restaurant with just one kitchen assistant in the vibrant Brixton Village. Her homestyle West African dishes, such as the popular £18 two-course meal of Jollof and fried plantain, quickly won over diners. Now, Chishuru has relocated just minutes away from Oxford Circus and offers a sophisticated £75 tasting menu in a spacious two-story location.
Chishuru's signature dishes include the flavorful moi moi with bone marrow and the succulent seasonal shellfish swimming in a pepper soup broth. Bakare expertly combines her cultural influences with global techniques, as noted by food critic Jimi Famurewa, who awarded the restaurant a glowing four-star review. He describes Chishuru as an exhibition of Bakare's "blazing, intuitive talent" that has the power to take one's breath away.
Bakare's journey to success in the culinary world has been a long one. She initially dreamed of running a food service, starting with a university fish-and-chips stand in her native Nigeria before relocating to the U.K. in the 1990s. After years in the London property management industry, she finally realized her dream with the opening of Chishuru.
Since then, Bakare's rise to prominence has been rapid, with numerous accolades and recognitions. In 2022, she was named one of Code's 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality and was shortlisted for Innovator of the Year at the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She was also recognized as a Chef to Watch at the National Restaurant Awards.
While other West African chefs, like those at Fitzrovia's Akoko, have also received Michelin recognition this year, Chishuru stands out as London's first Michelin-starred West African restaurant. This accomplishment is a testament to Bakare's goal of sharing her culture's vibrant and delicious flavors with the world. This is just the beginning for Chishuru, and we can't wait to see what's next for this incredible restaurant.
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