Tolu Eros is a man on a mission. Known as The Billionaire Chef, he is more than just a culinary artist—he is a visionary, a cultural ambassador, and a storyteller whose medium is food. In an era where global gastronomy is dominated by European and Asian influences, Eros is carving a distinct path, bringing the depth and diversity of West African cuisine to the world stage.
From his roots in Lagos, Nigeria, to the bustling culinary scene of Hollywood, California, Eros has built a brand that is both deeply personal and proudly African. His private dining experience, Ilé, is not just a restaurant—it is a journey. Guests do not merely eat; they are immersed in a narrative that connects the past to the present, weaving history, culture, and identity into every dish.
West African cuisine is not a new discovery—it has long been a powerful force, shaping food cultures across the globe. From the rice dishes of the American South to the complex spice blends found in Caribbean cooking, the region’s culinary footprint is undeniable. Yet, for too long, it has been underrepresented in fine dining spaces. Eros is changing that.
His approach to food is rooted in tradition but executed with contemporary finesse. He honours the age-old cooking methods of slow roasting, stewing, and grilling while elevating them with modern techniques and presentation. He takes pride in using ingredients that tell a story—tomatoes, peppers, and onions form the foundation of jollof rice, a dish whose origins trace back to the Wolof people of Senegal, while the rich, nutty depth of suya speaks to Nigeria’s northern culinary heritage. His pepper soup is a symphony of bold, layered spices, each note reflecting generations of expertise in balancing heat, aroma, and flavour.
For Eros, food is more than sustenance; it is a bridge between cultures. “Each bite tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of food to connect us to our past and to each other,” he says. His cooking is a conversation—one that invites the world to taste, appreciate, and celebrate West Africa’s rich gastronomic identity.
From Lagos to Los Angeles: A Global Vision
Eros’s ambitions stretch far beyond the walls of his restaurants. He envisions a world where West African cuisine is not a niche offering but a staple on menus from New York to Tokyo. With African restaurants in Lagos and Los Angeles, he is already laying the groundwork for this future. His next step? Taking Ilé on a US tour, introducing more diners to the magic of West African cooking.
His approach is strategic yet deeply passionate. He understands that to make an impact, West African cuisine must be visible, accessible, and aspirational. This means forging collaborations with other renowned chefs, hosting immersive dining experiences, and leveraging digital platforms to showcase the beauty of African food. Social media, he notes, has been instrumental in shifting perceptions, allowing a new generation to discover and fall in love with dishes that have long been overlooked by mainstream culinary discourse.
A Culinary Renaissance
The tide is turning. The past year has seen a surge in global recognition for West African cuisine. OpenTable reported a 72% increase in its popularity, and for the first time, two West African restaurants in London were awarded Michelin stars. This moment of visibility is not a fleeting trend but a renaissance—a reawakening of appreciation for a cuisine that has shaped global food culture for centuries.
Eros is at the forefront of this movement, proving that West African food belongs in the same conversation as French haute cuisine or Japanese kaiseki. His work is not just about food; it is about legacy, representation, and the power of culture to transcend borders.
Tolu Eros is not just feeding people—he is educating them, inspiring them, and giving them a seat at a table where West African cuisine finally takes its rightful place.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
