Our Story

Located just off Hoxton Square, OKN1 is an award-winning casual dining restaurant from Hackney’s next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals.

OKN1 is a AA Gold Rosette awarded, full-service restaurant providing in-work experience and training alongside professionals. The kitchen is run by chefs with experience at the likes of Dean Street Townhouse. Our trainee chefs and hospitality students are working their way towards professional qualifications. Graduates include Victor Okunowo, a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2020.

We combine a relaxed bistro style experience with top-quality produce and flavours usually found in gastronomic fine-dining. Expect a seasonal menu, serving modern British classics - faultlessly executed, at unparalleled value. Everything is prepared from scratch in the open kitchen – the menus evolve constantly to reflect the produce in season.

The restaurant has many welcoming spaces for you to enjoy. Whether you want to take your time over lunch or grab and go. Feel free to relax in our garden or watch the art of cooking as it occurs in our open kitchen.

We’re open to private hire and corporate events. What’s more, by supporting us, you’re giving to a great cause. Profits from our restaurant are invested back into education, supporting Hackney’s next generation.

Featured
Trainee chefs crowned UK champions
Trainee chefs crowned UK champions

A trio of trainee chefs from New City College were crowned UK champions following an exciting live ‘cook-off’ at the final of the Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2022.

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Victor Okunowo
Victor Okunowo

Victor Okunowo is the head chef of London’s Talking Drum restaurant and was a semi-finalist of Masterchef: The Professionals 2020.

A former student at NCC’s Redbridge College, Victor says that studying Professional Cookery and Restaurant Management at the college in Chadwell Heath, was what kick-started his career.

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Trio of chefs through to exciting live cook-off
Trio of chefs through to exciting live cook-off

New City College trainee chefs Samuel Paoli, Maria Carbone and Paulo Dela Cruz, have made it through to the grand final of the Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2022.

The Country Range competition is a prestigious culinary contest which has become a firm fixture in the catering industry’s calendar.

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OKN1 to host Ukrainian Benefit Night
OKN1 to host Ukrainian Benefit Night

A Ukrainian Benefit Night to raise funds for UNICEF is being held at OKN1 Restaurant next week in support of two New City College students from Ukraine.

The special evening, on Thursday 17th March 2022, will be a celebration of Ukrainian culture with traditional music and a three-course menu of authentic Ukrainian cuisine.

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