Diarmuid Goodwin
Fun, stylish and a long-time champion of the queer culinary community, this head honcho of Sager and Wilde is living proof that not all successful male chefs have to be brooding stress-heads like Carmy. See for yourself with tickets to his Pride celebration at Bubabla on 30 June. @diarmuidg94
Jeremy Chan
Speaking of brooding... ahem, just kidding. Chan is the mysterious man in charge of the stoves at the world’s 42nd best restaurant, Ikoyi, whose brain is as quick as his whisk. Don’t let his £350 tasting menu fool you, though, he likes a Shake Shack as much as the next civilian. @jeremychanikoyi
Rahel Stephanie
Cook, DJ, zine founder, activist, model, TV sensation... if there’s something the founder of Spoons can’t do, we’re yet to see it. Get yourself tickets to her next pop-up at Rambutan on 28 July to witness how she continues to revolutionise the capital’s Indonesian food scene. @linda_from_accounting
Angus Kitchin
He’s funny, he’s fabulous and he reviews supermarket sandwiches. Need I say more? Alright, just a little: formerly on the pans at FKA BAM, Kitchin has just unveiled Chap Bistro, offering delicious, inventive plates of divine comfort food inside The Haggerston pub. Go, people, go! @angustaaa
Jenny Phung
Anyone who understands the importance of a roast dinner is a winner in our eyes, so we’ll be asking for Phung’s hand in marriage imminently. Run, don’t walk, for a taste of her Chinese and Vietnamese concept, Ling Lings, at Dina throughout July or on Sundays at Bambi for the foreseeable. @ling_lings
Ayo Adeyemi
As chef-in-chief of Akoko and Akara, Adeyemi has played a starring role in the city’s long-overdue celebration of West African food, specifically that of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Gambia. Look out for the cheeky chappy next to the live fire grill and the ES team in his DMs. @ayoadeyemi_
Dara Klein
Thought you were strong willed? Klein’s Pugliese pasta will bring you to your knees. That and her brilliant flame-orange mane. You’ll likely have spotted the chef-patron of Tiella (within the Compton Arms) on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, in an Aesop campaign or your dreams. @dara.klein
Anna Søgaard
Female empowerment is hot AF, which brings this co-founder of women-centric supper club SuppHer to the top of our pile. Currently head chef at Bistro Freddie, her pet peeve is influencers who order her famous pie and don’t eat it. Not a problem she’ll encounter with us, obvs. @annasogaard
Meedu Saad
Everyone knows that if you want to seduce a person, you take them to the fiery depths of Kiln in Soho — so, obviously the head chef and co-owner is fabulous. Need more proof? He’s pals with rapper and F***, That’s Delicious founder Action Bronson, so you know he’s lols. @meedu_saad
Abby Lee
How Lee has time to have blue hair that good and run one of the most exciting restaurants in the capital, we’ll never know. She’s a master of fiery, effervescent, modern Malaysian fare, so get on the wait list for a table at her lo-fi Clapton eatery, Mambow, to turn up the heat, pronto. @mambow_ldn
Naz Hassan
Ingenuity is hot. And Hassan? He’s got it. The ex-Pidgin and Crispin character serves up delectably quirky modern-European cuisine, often with inspirations from his Milanese and Bangladeshi heritage. In a nutshell? We’re obsessed. Keep your eyes on his Instagram for his next pop-up. @the.shaman
Elliot Hashtroudi
Devastated about the fact you can’t pull off a tash? Look away now. Currently head chef of French- inflected, nose-to-tail Borough Market restaurant, Camille, this former St John and 107 maestro has the ability to make even veal brains seem appetising. Yes, really. @elliothashtroudi
Safiya Robinson
Wasn’t sure plant-based food could be sexy? Think again. Introducing the wonder behind Sister Woman Vegan. Currently in residence at Moko in Tottenham, her speciality is winning hearts with soul food influenced by the many people and cultures that have touched her life. Swoon. @sisterwomanvegan
