Who I am
I have spent more than a decade working across hospitality, menu development, teaching and creative culinary arts. My work lives between Lagos, Lomé and London, and always comes back to one thing — bold, honest flavour rooted in memory.
Today I work as:
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Executive Chef & Founder of Samantha’s Bistro, London
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Culinary educator for teens, adults and families
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Creative chef for TV, digital content and brand collaborations
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Founder of Chef Dumebi’s Life Lab cooking club
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Menu and flavour consultant for food brands and restaurants
Every plate I create is grounded in real life — the heat of kitchens, the discipline of technique, and the joy of cultural storytelling
Culinary Expertise
What I do:
Modern West African Cuisine
Contemporary dishes shaped by tradition, memory, and innovation.
Plant-Based African Cooking
Reimagining classics with fresh, accessible, vibrant ingredients.
Drink & Flavour Architecture
Mocktails, iced coffees, and soft-tails built the way chefs build dishes — with balance, emotion, and intention.
Creative Culinary Education
Through Life Lab, I teach young cooks how to use flavour as a tool for confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
Menu & Brand Development
I design menus, food concepts, and culinary identities that connect culture with modern dining.
Values That Guide Every Dish
Through ChefDumebi.com, I share the heart of my work:
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creative West African-inspired dishes
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flavour-led drinks
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Life Lab cooking classes
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chef experiences
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culinary storytelling
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personal reflections
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behind-the-scenes kitchen notes
My mission is simple:
to make African food modern, beautiful, and boldly creative — while celebrating the cultures that shaped me.
