London’s Ikoyi restaurant has been crowned the 2021 winner of the One to Watch Award from The World’s 50 Best.
Head Chef Jeremy Chan and Restaurant Director Iré Hassan-Odukale are childhood friends who went on to launch the restaurant in 2017.
“We are extremely humbled by the recognition on the global stage and proud of our small, hard-working team,” says Chan. “We are also grateful to our producers without whom this success would not be possible.”
The restaurant is known for its considered approach which hones in on locally sourced produce based on Britain’s micro-seasonality.
Ikoyi celebrates bold and original flavours and has a foundational base that revolves around global spices, particularly from West Africa.
Working with African-inspired food became an exciting prospect for Nigerian-born Hassan-Odukale who left a corporate career to open Ikoyi.
“Jeremy and Iré have created that rare thing in the restaurant world: an experience that defies characterisation,” says William Drew, director of content for World’s 50 Best.
“It is one of the most exciting restaurants to have opened in recent years, with an impressive commitment to flavour and produce. We are delighted to name Ikoyi as the winner of the American Express One to Watch Award 2021.”
Image credit: Ikoyi