Jeremy Chan: From Multilingual Academic to Culinary Innovator at London's Michelin-Starred Ikoyi
Biography
Jeremy Chan, born on April 11, 1987, in Hong Kong to a Chinese father and a Canadian mother, experienced a nomadic childhood across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States before settling down in London. From a young age, Chan's passion for cooking emerged, driven by a desire to enhance family meals and cherish shared moments around the dinner table. During his teenage years, he exhibited an extraordinary aptitude for learning, mastering six languages on his own.
After graduating with honors in Literature and Philosophy from the prestigious Princeton University, Chan embarked on a career in the financial sector. However, it was the culinary world that provided him with true inspiration and a haven from the rigors of finance. In 2011, he made a bold life choice, leaving finance to pursue professional cooking full-time. His culinary training was enriched by stints in high-caliber kitchens such as Hibiscus, Noma, and Dinner by Heston, where he refined his unique style and honed his skills.
In 2016, alongside childhood friend Iré Hassan-Odukale, Jeremy Chan opened Ikoyi, a restaurant drawing inspiration from the rich flavors and ingredients of West Africa. Ikoyi quickly established itself for its groundbreaking approach to gastronomy, skillfully blending warmth and umami while incorporating unusual ingredients like Selim grains. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2018, praised for being "one of the most innovative and original establishments to open in the capital in recent times." Under Chan's visionary leadership, Ikoyi continued to evolve and impress, securing its second star in the 2022 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
