Sep 27, 2023
On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel
Ornelas sits down with Chef Tolu Eros. Chef Eros is a storyteller,
entertainer and African ambassador on a mission to share and
explore the wonders of West African food; a food and culture full
of life and flavor, just like Eros.
Chef’s formative years were spent between Benin City
and Lagos, Nigeria, where he learned from his mother, “if food does
not have love, you might as well not cook it at all!" It is that
love for food and for building community that brought Eros to Los
Angeles in 2021. The many years he spent in Nigeria honing his
ability to entertain and educate through food brought him to the
entertainment capital of the world. But not to open a restaurant
right away, he started with a series of intimate, well thought out
dinners at his personal home, in Hollywood.
Eros quickly received critical acclaim
from numerous publications and from industry icons like Wolfgang
Puck, expressing their excitement and passion for the food and
overall experience. His private dinner series is
called Ilé,
which in the Yoruba language means home, which Eros gives you
listeners a look into this memorable experience. His food has and
always will be about bringing people together, in a way that is
elevated, yet fun, fresh and worth talking
about.
He also recently opened up Ilé Bistro, in Culver
City, which highlights some of his classic favorites, but in a fast
casual setting. I encourage you all to head to the show notes while
listening to this episode to check out Chef Eros on instagram and
his concepts.
There is so much more to say, but I’d rather you hear
from Chef himself. Listen as we explore his mind and
creativity, his vision for continuing build community through
West African food culture and what we can expect next from
him.
Discover more about REPÚBLICA DEL CACAO:
Follow Tolu Eros on Instgram:
Follow Ilé on Instagram:
Follow On The Pass:
Follow our Host, Gabriel Ornelas:
Read Gabriel's Articles:
Lets work together! Get in contact: