Congolese chef Joyce Kudia opens her first permanent site this week at Boxhall City food hall near Liverpool Street station, having made her name as a contestant on Channel Four’s ‘Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef’.
Joyce, who has worked as a private chef, was also the first resident chef at Boxhall City’s rotating guest spot Kitchen No 8 when the food hall opened this spring. She won a legion of fans for dishes including her signature plantain burger – a beef patty sandwiched between slices of fried plantain with lettuce, avocado and fried onions.
Her permanent outlet at Boxhall City, Biléyi by MsJoyceK, will showcase a range of other dishes including her takes on slow-smoked goat and framed-grilled chicken.
Joyce said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Boxhall City. My time at Kitchen No.8 was a real game changer, giving me the platform to share the bold flavours and rich traditions of Congolese cuisine with a whole new audience.
“The response was incredible, and the energy, feedback and loyal customers I met have stayed with me ever since. Coming back now with a permanent spot means I can build on that momentum, keep creating, and welcome back familiar faces while hopefully winning over plenty of new ones too.”
Michelle Farrell, chief growth officer at Boxpark and Boxhall City, said: “Joyce made a huge impact as the very first chef to take over Kitchen No 8, and her Congolese-inspired dishes brought something truly unique to our line-up. The passion, creativity and energy she brings to her food is exactly what Boxhall is all about, and we can’t wait for more guests to experience Biléyi.”