Akoko (restaurant)

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Akoko
Akoko (restaurant)
Interactive map of Akoko
Restaurant information
EstablishedOctober 8, 2020 (2020-10-08) [1]
OwnerAji Akokomi [2]
Head chefMutaro Baldé
Food typeWest African
Nigerian
Rating Etoile Michelin-1.svg (Michelin Guide)
Location Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°31′04″N0°08′12″W / 51.5177°N 0.1368°W / 51.5177; -0.1368

Akoko is a Michelin-starred West African restaurant in London. [3] [4] [5] [6] The name of the restaurant means time and season, and the first in Yoruba. [7] [8] [9]

Contents

History

The restaurant's kitchen was initially headed by former MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist William Chilila, who departed as head chef in February 2021. [10] He was replaced by Ayo Adeyemi. [2]

Both Adeyemi and Akokomi's families are Yoruba and originally hailed from Nigeria, and Adeyemi cited the cuisines and ingredients of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and The Gambia influencing his cooking. [11]

Adeyemi departed as the restaurant's head chef in September 2024, being replaced by Mutaro Baldé. [12]

Reception

Akoko was awarded a Michelin Star for its first time in 2024 under chef Adeyemi, and retained its Michelin star in 2025 under new chef Baldé. [2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brennan, Ailis (25 August 2020). "Akoko: MasterChef star to launch long-awaited West African fine dining restaurant in West End". The Standard. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Meet The Duo Behind Michelin-Starred Akoko". Michelin Guide. Michelin. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  3. ↑ Dinneen, Steve (2023-12-19). "Akoko review: One of London's top tasting menus". CityAM. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  4. ↑ "Review: Akoko in Fitzrovia". Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  5. ↑ Armstrong, Hilary (2021-07-05). "Akoko restaurant review: an haute celebration of West African food, art and culture". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  6. ↑ "Akoko – London - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant". MICHELIN Guide. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  7. ↑ jenner (2024-08-23). "Discover Akoko: A Michelin-star Celebration of West African Cuisine". Tilda Rice UK. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  8. ↑ "Akoko | National Restaurant Awards". NRA - National Restaurant Awards. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  9. ↑ "From jollof to Michelin stars: The rise of African cuisine in London". euronews. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  10. ↑ Jenkins, Lisa (12 February 2021). "William Chilila to start afresh after departing Akoko". The Caterer. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  11. ↑ Kupemba, Danai Nesta (17 February 2024). "West Africa's Michelin-starred cuisine wows London". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  12. ↑ Seo, Jungmin (16 September 2024). "Chef Ayo Adeyemi leaves Akoko". The Caterer. Retrieved 30 October 2025.