Chef Michael Elégbèdé is a third-generation chef, following in the culinary footsteps of his mother and grandmother, both of whom were professional chefs. Trained at the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, and worked in some of the most accoladed restaurants across America, Chef Elégbèdé combines classical technique with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling through food.

His culinary journey was driven by a profound sense of duty to honor the nameless guardians of indigenous West African knowledge. This passion was ignited during his extensive research across Nigeria and other parts of West Africa, where he sought to preserve and elevate ancestral culinary traditions.

In 2019, Chef Elégbèdé opened ÌTÀN Test Kitchen, widely regarded as the most acclaimed culinary experiential space in West Africa. More than just a restaurant, ÌTÀN is a culinary atelier where local ingredients, ancestral wisdom, and modern techniques converge to craft powerful narratives of Africa’s modernity and history.

With rigor, integrity, and unmatched artistry, Chef Elégbèdé stands as a global ambassador for West African cuisine. He leverages his extensive experience in both America and Africa to bridge the culinary narratives of West Africa and its diaspora, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich culinary heritage.