Ikoyi: A Journey through Bold Heat with Recipes

Ikoyi: A Journey through Bold Heat with Recipes - Jeremy Chan

"I continued to burn through kitchens, gradually becoming accustomed to the speed and brutality of kitchen life. As well as my fascination with the techniques and creativity of the chefs, I also developed an obsession with the physicality of the work: prepping vegetables and executing orders offered a temporary release for some of my repressed energy. However, this did not satisfy my deeper urges to create my own vision."

The restaurant Ikoyi, which was recognized as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world in 2022, is one of the most original and taste-friendly restaurants of its time. Its menu, led by childhood friends Iré Hassan-Odukale and chef Jeremy Chan, the innovative culinary mind behind the unique tasting menu, is inspired by sub-Saharan West African spices and products from local farms and artisans. The book contains stories illustrating the inspiration and creation of Ikoyi, influenced by Chan’s experiences of living, cooking, and traveling in Hong Kong, Canada, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. Every recipe in this fascinating book includes a story of how the dish came to be, as well as the influences of seasonality and products from local producers.