Brixton Village – London’s most diverse market, famed for its community of more than 100 independent traders and proudly representing over 50 nationalities – has announced the relaunch of its grassroots chef/restaurateur competition; Brixton Kitchen. Following the debut competition in 2019 – won by Nigerian-born Adejoké Bakare, who made history in 2024 as the first Black woman in Britain to be awarded a Michelin star for her West African restaurant Chishuru – this new iteration will see Brixton Village once again search to support the incredible homegrown culinary talent of South London. Entries are open now.
The competition is searching for budding “semi pro” chefs who have successfully run supper clubs, pop-ups, or residencies, and applicants are encouraged to highlight any connections to Brixton in their entries. The winner will receive a six-month residency in a prime unit on Brixton Village’s Market Row, alongside mentorship from industry stalwarts covering salient topics for new restaurateurs, including financial management, intellectual property, and marketing.
The competition will take place across three rounds in Brixton Village throughout summer 2025. Entries are open now and will close on Sunday 15th June. Throughout June and July, a shortlist of 20 will be invited to cook for an esteemed panel of judges, culminating in the final two contestants offering a full service to the local community. The winner of Brixton Kitchen 2025 will be crowned on Thursday, 31st July.
The judging panel for Brixton Kitchen 2025 will feature 2019 winner and Michelin-starred chef Adejoké Bakare, leading South London restaurateur Robin Gill, and award-winning chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine.
As a thriving epicentre of culture, community, and commerce, Brixton Village has a history of rearing homegrown foodie talent. The birthplace of Honest Burger and Franco Manca, the market is home to over 40 bars and restaurants representing cuisines from across the globe, including Venezuelan, Nepalese, Jamaican, Mexican, Colombian, and Japanese. Previous Brixton Kitchen concepts that found homes in Brixton Village include Budgie Montoya’s Sarap serving modern Filipino-inspired fare, Ruben Dawney’s Ruben’s Reubens paying homage to his Polish-Jewish heritage, and Jack Croft and William Murray’s sustainability-focussed Fallow.
Speaking on the relaunch, Brixton Village’s General Manager, Diana Nabagereka, says;
“Brixton Kitchen is back, and I am personally thrilled for the summer ahead! We are so proud of our commitment to our local South London community and our position as a hotspot for global cuisine in London. It’s been a joy to watch the incredible Adejoké go from strength to strength after starting out on Brixton Village’s Market Row, and I can’t wait to see what talent we can platform this year.”
Winner of 2019’s Brixton Kitchen competition, 2025 judge, and Michelin-starred chef Adejoké Bakare added, “I am so grateful for the opportunity I was afforded by Brixton Kitchen. Brixton Village is such a unique place, and I’m excited to be part of this year’s competition.“
Brixton Kitchen aims to give emerging chefs in South London a platform to launch their culinary careers. The competition will see a new restaurateur make Brixton Village their home, neighbouring some of the market’s most beloved and long-standing restaurants, including Okan and Fish, Wings and Tings, which have served the community for over 30 years cumulatively.
Entries are now open HERE, until Sunday 15th June.
