Chef Ayo Adeyemi leaves Akoko

Chef Ayo Adeyemi has left Akoko after two years at the Michelin-starred West African restaurant in London to “embark on a new chapter”.

He joined the Fitzrovia restaurant in September 2022 to take over from Theo Clench, who left after a year at Akoko to open Cycene in London’s Shoreditch.

During Adeyemi’s tenure, Akoko won its first Michelin star for its “precise, technically impressive selection” of West African dishes inspired by his Nigerian heritage.

Prior to joining the restaurant, which launched in 2020, he had worked in Michelin-starred kitchens around the world, including at Taj Campton Place restaurant in San Francisco and the Fat Duck in Bray.

Posting on Instagram, Adeyemi said: “After an incredible journey at Akoko, the time has come for me to embark on a new chapter in my life and career.

“It’s been an honor to, alongside Akokomi and the incredible Akoko team, represent the West African diaspora within the food space.

"Through my journey, I’ve been privileged to share the rich culinary traditions, flavours and stories of West Africa with a broader audience. This experience has not only allowed me to celebrate my heritage but also bridge cultures and bring people together through food.”

He added: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Akoko family… While I’m excited about the new adventures ahead, I’ll always look back on my time at Akoko with fondness.”

Founder and culinary director Aji Akokomi has appointed Mutaro Balde as the new executive chef at Akoko.

The pair will work together to create dishes that delve deeper into their heritage.

Balde, who has roots in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, was formerly group executive chef at Le Comptoir Group and had also held roles within Bibo Restaurant in Hong Kong, as well as 6 New York in Paris.

He trained under chefs such as Joël Robuchon at L’Atelier in London and Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée in Paris.

Akokomi said: “We wish Ayo all the best and are grateful for his dedication over the last two years.

“We’re excited to welcome Mutaro to the Akoko family. He’s been a close friend of the brand from the start, and after years of collaboration behind the scenes, we’re excited to finally work together to continue raising the bar at Akoko.”