1 Michelin Star Chefs: Ayo Adeyemi, Executive Chef, Akoko
1 Michelin Star Chefs: Adejoké (Joké) Bakare chef/owner Chishuru
1 Michelin Star Chefs: James Sharp, Head Chef at Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay at The Savoy
2 Michelin Star Chefs: Claude Bosi, Chef Director, Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula
Adejoké (Joké) Bakare is the chef/owner michelin-starred restaurant Chishuru in fitrovia, london
In the Michelin Guide UK 2024, Joké became the first black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK.
BIOGRAPHY
Adejoké (Joké) Bakare is the founder and head chef of Chishuru, a West African restaurant located in Fitrovia, London. Joké’s desire to work in food harked back to her university years as a student in Nigeria, where she studied biological sciences and ran a fish & chip cart in her spare time.
Joké and her family moved to the UK 20 years ago, upon her arrival in the UK she worked in a number of fields including care, health & safety and property management, before starting in food with a van outside her church in southeast London. She ran some supper clubs, and went on to win a competition for a three-month restaurant popup in Brixton Village, south London.
CHISHURU
Chishuru, opened in 2020 in Brixton Market, was born out of Bakare's vision to create a dining space where guests could explore authentic West African dishes in a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant's name, meaning 'a quiet place' in Igbo, reflects this intention.
With a seating capacity that promotes an intimate dining experience, Chishuru offers a menu inspired by traditional West African ingredients and cooking techniques, reimagined through Bakare's innovative culinary lens.
The Brixton site closed in October 2022 and eventually moved Chishuru to its permanent new home in Fitzrovia in September 2023. Under Bakare's leadership, Chishuru has earned critical acclaim for its unique approach to West African cuisine, highlighting her commitment to authenticity and innovation.
Accolades 
The restaurant's menu features signature dishes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the region while appealing to contemporary tastes. Bakare's work at Chishuru not only brings the flavours of West Africa to London's gastronomic landscape but also contributes to the global appreciation of the cuisine. Bakare's journey to establishing Chishuru involved overcoming challenges associated with transitioning from pop-up events to a permanent restaurant space, demonstrating her resilience and dedication to her culinary vision.
Looking forward, she remains focused on promoting West African cuisine and exploring new opportunities to expand her culinary influence.
Other Michelin Star Chefs
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1 Michelin Star Chefs: Adejoké (Joké) Bakare chef/owner Chishuru
