Joké Bakare to mentor young Nigerian chefs, deepen culinary tourism
Lagos Continental Hotel, in partnership with ART X Lagos, has announced a landmark culinary residency featuring Nigerian-born, UK-based Michelin-starred chef, Adejoké Bakare, aimed at mentoring the next generation of Nigerian chefs.
The four-day residency, scheduled for November 4-7, 2026, will see Bakare, founder of the acclaimed London restaurant Chishuru and the only Nigerian female chef to hold a Michelin star, host exclusive dinners, masterclasses and hands-on training sessions for young chefs, food enthusiasts and patrons. Eight chefs under the age of 30 will be selected to participate in the immersive programme.
Bakare, who spent her formative years in northern and western Nigeria as the child of a Yoruba father and Igbo mother, said the residency is a homecoming centred on giving back and reclaiming the African culinary narrative.
“At the core of what we are doing is the main ethos, which is we are trying to tell our story in an authentic way. We don’t want other people to tell our story for us because when others tell our story it becomes diluted,” she said.
She explained that Chishuru, which translates from Hausa as “eat silently” – capturing the hush that falls when food arrives – is a reflection of the diverse cultures that shaped her identity.
Speaking on the collaboration, Lagos Continental Hotel General Manager, Christoph Schleissing, said the partnership aligns with the Continental Hotels Group’s commitment to promoting Nigerian culinary excellence on a global stage.
“We want to have a Nigerian chef who can cook food on an internationally acclaimed level,” Schleissing said, describing the partnership with ART X Lagos as “a perfect marriage of premium organisations promoting excellence.”
He added that the residency carries a deeper message for Nigerian youth: “It’s for the youth. It’s a voice of hope. Because they show it is not what you are or how or where you were brought up is going to define your destiny. What is going to define your destiny is your willingness to live your passion.”