Chef Maria Bradford to Open Sierra Leonean Restaurant, Shwen Shwen in Sevenoaks
Chef Maria Bradford is launching a Sierra Leonean restaurant named Shwen Shwen in Sevenoaks on June 6. The restaurant will explore Afro-fusion dining with an appealing menu featuring several savory dishes and desserts. The design promises elegance, emphasized by unique fabrics and decor inspired by West African textiles.
Chef Maria Bradford is set to debut her new venture, Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford, next month in Sevenoaks, a restaurant that will delve into the vibrant flavors of Sierra Leone. This exciting opening follows Bradford’s recent success with her cookbook, Sweet Salone: Recipes from the Heart. The name ‘Shwen Shwen’, which translates to ‘fancy’ in Krio, indicates a focus on redefining fine dining through Afro-fusion cuisine, a style that Bradford has come to master.
Diners can expect an interesting menu showcasing an array of savory dishes. Highlights are set to include lamb belly enriched with palm oil and African five spice, mackerel served with mango and cassava flat bread, and king prawns enhanced by lemongrass gel. In addition, there will also be a beef short-rib dish paired with groundnut and coconut, promising a depth of flavor unique to Sierra Leonean cuisine.
When it comes to sweet endings, the dessert menu is equally enticing. Guests can look forward to treats such as hibiscus combined with caramelized white chocolate, fig leaf, and pepper; and a unique moringa mille-feuille accompanied by benne cake and sheep’s yoghurt ice-cream that aims to surprise and delight.
Bradford’s culinary passion was ignited in her childhood home in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she learned the art of cooking from her mother and grandmother. This personal history adds a rich layer to the authenticity of her cuisine, potentially making her restaurant a place of cultural storytelling through food.
Located in a charming area on a cobbled alleyway, Shwen Shwen promises an elegant and intimate dining atmosphere. The design will offer tactile surfaces, bespoke hand-painted fabrics, and wallpaper that draws inspiration from vintage West African and Sierra Leonean textiles, creating a visually captivating experience to accompany the meal.
The restaurant is scheduled to welcome its first guests on 6 June, marking another chapter in Bradford’s culinary journey that seeks to honor her roots while engaging a wider audience in the delights of Sierra Leonean cuisine.
In summary, Chef Maria Bradford’s Shwen Shwen will combine traditional Sierra Leonean flavors with a contemporary dining experience, marking her first restaurant in Sevenoaks. Opening on June 6, the establishment aims to redefine Afro-fusion cuisine with a carefully curated menu that showcases both savory dishes and desserts, while the restaurant’s design promises an elegant ambiance. Bradford’s passion and culinary background further enhance this promising venture.
Original Source: www.restaurantonline.co.uk
