Diaspora Star | Olushola Medupin : From Reluctant Chef to Global Culinary Icon

Some stories don’t begin with a dream they begin with resistance. For Olushola Medupin, food was more of a family inheritance than a personal ambition. Born in Kwara State, Nigeria, into a lineage of successful restaurateurs, Medupin's earliest memories were shaped by the clatter of pots and the scent of Nigerian stews. His mother ran one of the most successful restaurants in the state. Before her, his grandparents made a name for themselves selling hot meals to eager customers.

So, you’d think the path was obvious.

But Medupin wanted out.

He wanted more than kitchens and recipes. As a young boy, he was already an entrepreneur climbing orange trees to sell fruit, renting out his BMX bike, and managing multiple small ventures including a rubbish collection business and an internet café. By the time he was a teenager, he had sold a car wash business in Nigeria at a profit and used the earnings to fund his move to the UK to study investment banking and securities.

His big break didn’t come in finance, though. In the UK, despite his qualifications, the only jobs available to him were in kitchens. Tired of food and emotionally drained by the hospitality grind, he stepped away in 2009 to take up a security job in Cardiff. But passion and purpose have a way of circling back.

In 2013, reluctantly, he returned to what he knew best. Along with his wife Eniola, he launched the first Enish Restaurant in Lewisham, London. The name Enish is a blend of their names a symbol of partnership in life and in business. The first few years were anything but easy. At one point, Medupin nearly sold the restaurant, but a last-minute lowball offer reignited his resolve. He decided to push forward and that decision changed everything.

Fast forward to today, Enish is the largest African restaurant chain in the world. With 13 locations across London and Dubai, and plans to expand to the United States, Enish has grown into a multi-million-pound enterprise. Its outlets have become cultural landmarks for the African diaspora a place where food is more than sustenance; it’s identity, comfort, and pride.

In Dubai, Enish has redefined what African fine dining looks like. One location in Palm Jumeirah offers an elevated experience of classic dishes like pounded yam and egusi soup often served with lobster. Another branch, The DwnTwn by Enish, near the Burj Khalifa, spans 40,000 square feet and includes VIP lounges, two bars, and a luxury nightclub feel. It cost over $4 million to build, with monthly rent hitting $50,000 during construction.

In London, Enish operates in some of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods, including Oxford Street and Knightsbridge paying rents of up to £25,000 per month. Yet despite these massive overheads, the brand thrives, thanks to a loyal following that includes Nigerian celebrities, global influencers, and food critics.

Medupin insists on authenticity, importing 80% of ingredients directly from Africa, despite the logistical and quality challenges that come with it. “Every batch of egusi or palm oil tastes a little different. You have to use your experience to ensure consistency,” he explains.

But it’s more than just food. Enish represents a broader movement one that elevates West African cuisine and places it confidently on the global map. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Michelin-recognized Nigerian restaurants like Akoko and Chishuru, proving that African food belongs not only in homes and street stalls but in the world's finest culinary spaces.

“Enish is not just a restaurant,” says Michael Amusan, a financial analyst in London. “It’s a cultural embassy. It reminds us of home.” Food critic Tola Ogun echoes that sentiment: “This shows that Nigerian cuisine is here to stay, and people are finally recognizing its depth and richness.”

Even global stars like DJ Cuppy have praised Enish, calling it a vital part of Nigerian culture abroad.

At the heart of it all is the humble, determined, and visionary duo of Shola and Eniola Medupin proof that even reluctant dreams, when nurtured with passion and grit, can grow into global legacies.