Chef to Watch

As co-owner and former head chef of Kiln, previously ranked as the UK's Best Restaurant, it might seem a little strange that Meedu Saad should appear on this list. However, it is with the creation of his new North African restaurant Impala, which is a very personal project, that he has found his true voice and which marks him out as a talent worthy of recognition.

At Impala, Saad has used the many journeys, conversations and meals of his past, both in Africa and North London where he grew up, as his inspiration, creating a restaurant steeped in experiences, of smells and flavours and textures that have left an indelible imprint on his memory. The menu is bold and original, featuring dishes such as pasta with bird's tongue and spiced oxtail; loquat wild cucumber and herb salad; and pounded white beans with wild herbs and bottarga, making Impala one of the capital's most exciting new launches of the past few years thanks to Saad's passion and vision.

It's been a slow burn. Impala, which Saad has opened with restaurant group Super 8, has been five years in the making, giving him time to assess and fine tune every dish and forge close and meaningful relationships with suppliers to bring his vision to life. Now finally open it will grow and evolve and drive London's food scene forwards. Like the car it was named after, Impala is going places, and the chef behind the wheel is a star in the making.