In the UK and Craving Some of Mama’s Cooking? Check Out Tokunbo’s Kitchen

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Tokunbo means “From across the Sea” in Yoruba, a language from the West African Nation of Nigeria and it is befitting of this phenomenal single mother turned entrepreneur, Tokunbo Koiki. As if perfectly chosen for her at birth, it seems that it is her destiny to bring Nigerian Food to British Shores in a new and refreshing way.

Born in Camden, London, to Nigerian parents, Tokunbo lived in Lagos, Nigeria for the first nine years of her life, an experience which shaped her taste buds and love of Nigeria cuisine and culture.

Tokunbo completed her university education in London and used her degrees to pursue her passions as a committed advocate for children and women’s rights with cross-cultural experience of working internationally across three continents. It was this passion for cross-cultural experiences and bringing people together that planted the seed of a dream in Tokunbo’s heart.

After years of home-grown cooking for family and friends, Tokunbo decided to turn her dream into a business reality launching Tee’s Food Corner in 2015, a pop up Nigerian street food stall and Tokunbo’s Kitchen in 2016, which is a private chef and supper club service for people from all cultures to experience and enjoy authentic Nigerian food. The first supper club will be launched on April 23^rd 2016 in North London.

“Tokunbo’s Kitchen is a space and opportunity for people to experience and enjoy the type of delicious home cooked Nigerian food I grew up eating. My overall goal is to have Nigerian cuisine as a favourite choice on the London food landscape. I started Tokunbo’s Kitchen here in London as this is a city that has shaped me into the proud British-Nigerian woman I am.” Tokunbo Koiki, Founder of Tokunbo’s Kitchen.

Tokunbo’s love of Nigerian cuisine inspired her to launch these start-ups at a time when there is still not enough emphasis on celebrating the immense diversity of African Cuisine, more specifically Nigerian delicacies in the UK and Europe as a whole. According to primary research undertaken by West African Cooks* African/Caribbean themed supper clubs makes up less than 1% of the entire London Pop Market share.
With dedication, motivation and the sheer desire to introduce Nigerian food to a more global market Tokunbo Koiki is bringing a new taste from “across the sea”.

For More Information, Images, Interview Requests and Recipes
Ronke Lawal –
Tickets to Tokunbo’s Kitchen: foodisready.eventbrite.co.uk 
Saturday, 23 April 2016 6pm-9pm
The Engine Room – Waterside Way Tottenham Hale Village, London N17 9FT UK
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TokunbosKitchen/
Twitter https://twitter.com/tokunboskitchen
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tokunboskitchen/
#FoodIsReady #OyaComeChop

More about Tokunbo

In 2012, Tokunbo was selected to be part of the prestigious Atlas Service Corps, a leadership development fellowship program in the U.S. She lived and worked in Washington D.C. supporting vulnerable and homeless adults through provision of daily meals, case management and advocacy work. When she is not in the kitchen she loves to dance. She is a mother of one and enjoys travelling and celebrating the beauty and diversity of the continent of Africa.

COMPANY PROFILE
Tee’s Food Corner is a pop up catering venture selling Nigerian street food at popular markets and festivals across London. Tee’s Food Corner arose due to the gap in the street food market for a service that specialises in Nigerian cuisine. Tokunbo’s Kitchen is a not just a food event but an opportunity to enjoy authentic Nigerian food within an informal and social experience. At Tokunbo’s Kitchen, the motto is for guests to feel like royalty. The aim, therefore, is to ensure that everyone dines like one. Expect taste buds to be delighted by colourful dishes bursting with lavish flavours of herbs and spices. Tokunbo’s Kitchen guarantees that you will leave with a newfound appreciation for Nigerian cuisine and culture. Tokunbo’s Kitchen provides private chef and supper club experiences for food lovers seeking to experience new tastes and flavours in an exclusive setting.

*Primary research using data from GrubClub.com undertaken by West Africa Cooks http://www.westafricacooks.com/africa/ in 2016.