UK’s First Black Female Michelin Star Chef Elevates West African Cuisine

Adejoké Bakare, the first black woman to receive a Michelin star in the UK, is making waves in London with her modern West African cuisine at Chishuru. Originally started as a pop-up in 2020, Chishuru found its permanent home in Fitzrovia in 2023.

Bakare expressed her gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the weight of responsibility it brought. Dishes like sinasir, moi moi, and ekoki showcase the diverse flavours of West African cuisine. Bakare believes there’s still much more to explore and hopes to continue pushing boundaries in the culinary world.

Chishuru wasn’t the only restaurant recognised at the Michelin awards; Akoko, another West African cuisine specialist, also received a star. Bakare emphasised that West African food cannot be boxed into a single category, as it draws from various culinary traditions.

She delights in introducing guests to new flavours and believes in the potential for diversity and inclusion in the culinary industry. Bakare’s journey from studying Biological Sciences to running her own restaurant reflects her passion and determination to pursue her dreams.

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Ikenna Churchill

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