Adejoké Bakare
Adejoké "Joké" Bakare | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Known for | First Black woman in the UK to receive a Michelin star; Chef of the Year at the National Restaurant Awards (2024) |
Adejoké "Joké" Bakare is a chef of British Nigerian origin who specialises in West African cuisine. Mostly self-trained, she achieved the milestone of becoming the first Black woman in the UK to receive a Michelin star in 2024. That same year, she earned the title of Chef of the Year at the National Restaurant Awards.
Early life
Bakare was born and grew up in Kaduna, Nigeria, where her culinary approach reflects her Yoruba and Igbo roots. While pursuing biomedical sciences at Kaduna State University, she supported herself by managing a fish-and-chips stall.
In 1999, Bakare relocated to the UK for further education. Though she worked in diverse fields including property management, her enthusiasm for cooking remained strong. As a self-taught cook, she ran a street food van and subsequently organised supper clubs that showcased West African dishes.
Encouraged by friends in 2019, Bakare participated in the Brixton Kitchen cooking contest, winning the amateur division. Her prize was a three-month pop-up space in Brixton Village, which served as a crucial platform for launching her professional culinary journey.
Chishuru
Bakare introduced Chishuru in September 2020 as a pop-up dining experience in Brixton, London, featuring contemporary West African cuisine. By 2022, Chishuru had been recognised as London's Best Restaurant by Time Out Magazine.
Following several popup ventures throughout London, Chishuru secured a permanent location in Fitzrovia in September 2023. A favourable review from food critic Charlotte Ivers in November 2023 significantly boosted the restaurant’s reputation.
On 5 February 2024, both Chishuru and head chef Bakare were honoured with a Michelin star, marking Bakare as the first Black woman in the UK to attain this accolade. She also became the second Black woman worldwide to receive a Michelin star, following France’s Georgiana Viou who was awarded one in 2023.
In June 2024, Bakare was recognised as "Chef of the Year" at Time Out's National Restaurant Awards.
See also
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Living individuals
- Michelin-starred restaurant head chefs
- Chefs from Nigeria
- Chefs based in the United Kingdom
- Year of birth unknown (living individuals)
- Nigerian nationals residing in the United Kingdom
- Head chefs of Michelin-starred restaurants