Tola Akerele

Tola Akerele

Hotelier, designer and cookbook author

https://orishirishicookbook.us/
A product of a family of diehard foodies, Tola Akerele’s love for culinary escapades runs deep. As the co-founder of Bogobiri House and founder of Orishirishi kitchen, her keen appreciation and passion for the Nigerian experience—music, food, art, and culture— are aptly demonstrated by the manner in which she has made it accessible to all. She embraces life with relentless energy and loves to travel in order to explore new cuisines and cultures. When not travelling, she can be found hosting dinner parties in her home, where her husband and children share her passion for food and communal experiences. Born in Lagos, Tola spent her formative years in Nigeria, but studied and worked in the United Kingdom for over twenty years before returning to the country of her birth. She is a proud indigene of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

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Features & Stories

Consuming Passions: Crayfish

Consuming Passions: Crayfish

Amongst the Igbos of the South-Eastern region of Nigeria in West Africa, crayfish are a vastly popular ingredient. They are freshwater shrimp or prawns typically smoked or sun-dried and used as a seasoning in many savory West African dishes.

Tola's favorite cookbooks

Available on ckbk now
Orange Blossom & Honey

Orange Blossom & Honey

John Gregory-Smith

I set up a Moroccan lounge and restaurant (Tanjia) a few years ago and this book was one of my favourite books I still use today and kept. One of many books on North African food when doing my initial research.

Zoe's Ghana Kitchen

Zoe's Ghana Kitchen

Zoe Adjonyoh

A cookbook that you can easily read. Fantastic introduction to Ghanaian food and very well put together. Never made to the Brixton pop up and got the cookbook as soon as it was available. A great cookbook.