LONDON: Launching on Berners Street in Fitzrovia this autumn, Akoko will bring Londoners a taste of West African Cuisine combining British ingredients with vivid aromas and authentic West African spices, Akoko will offer a unique window on the still relatively unknown West African Cuisine in a polished and relaxed setting.
The first project from a British West African group with Head Chef William JM Chilila, the team want to bring West African Cuisine to London with bold yet refined dishes. Akoko, which means ‘time’ and also ’the first’ in Yoruba will show Londoners that it is truly time to experience West African cuisine in a new and elevated way.
Head Chef William JM Chilila will showcase an innovative menu combining British ingredients and African spices. With experience working with renowned restaurants such as Galvin at Windows, The Montagu at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Langham Hotel and the Orrery, William was a finalist on last year’s Masterchef: The Professionals and was the youngest chef ever to be included in the ‘30 under 30’ Zagat list at the age of 19.
The menu will include very popular West African classics such as the delicious smoked jollof rice, grilled aged beef suya with caramelised onion and confit tomato as well as vibrant forward-thinking dishes like barbecued baby aubergine maafe and smoked goat consommé. The wine list will be curated by Sommelier Honey Spencer’s new consultancy ‘Spencer & Smelskaya’.
Designed by René Dekker Design, each and every detail at Akoko will be handcrafted to showcase the natural beauty, simplicity and earthiness of West African rural areas. To bring a natural warmth to the space, the walls will be covered in a soothing terracotta clay from Clayworks limited. Contemporary African art by Niyi Olagunju will adorn the space and bespoke ceramics inspired by the legendary West African 1960s ‘Queen of Pottery’, Ladi Kwali has been designed by artists such as Andile Dyalvane, Kat Wheeler Ceramics, Jun Rhee and 1256 Degreesnorth.
Opening this October, Londoners can look forward to a stylish and welcoming restaurant that offers a unique taste into West Africa.
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