Masterchef: The Professionals' William JM Chilila to open Fitzrovia restaurant, Akoko, this autumn
Masterchef: The Professionals' William JM Chilila is planning to open a restaurant Fitzrovia this autumn - hoping to offer "a unique window on the still relatively unknown West African Cuisine in a polished and relaxed setting."
Eater London reports that the restaurant will launch this October, with the intention being to "show Londoners that it is truly time to exeperience West African cuisine in a new and elevated way."
At just 27 years old, the chef and Masterchef: The Professionals 2018 finalist has a wealth of experience, having worked at D&D's French restaurant in Marylebone, Orrery, Galvin at Windows, The Langham Hotel and The Montagu, to name a few, in his 11-year career.
The chef said he will use English ingredients and African spices to prepare dishes that will include smoked jollof rice, grilled aged beef suya with caramelised onion and confit tomato, barbecued baby aubergine maafe and smoked goat consommé.
The announcement comes as a new wave of high-end West African restaurants have opened in the capital - from Ikoyi (though chef owner Jeremy Chan refuses to define it as such, it certainly draws influences from the region's cuisine) to Stork.
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