Some call it fancy, we call it Shwen Shwen … and it brings me huge pride and pleasure to announce that our restaurant has been recognised by the MICHELIN Guide. From Freetown to the world, Sierra Leonean flavours now sit proudly on one of the biggest culinary stages on the planet. The first Sierra Leonean inspired Restaurant in the Guide. This is me, a Sierra Leonean-born woman, cooking Sierra Leonean-inspired food, our team and restaurant standing proudly on a global stage. For every Sierra Leonean who longed to see our food recognised…the guide says "Colourful, unfussy and joyous" that sums up our Sweet Salone. For every Black woman carving her own path in kitchens where we were never meant to shine… For the storytellers, the dreamers, the culture-keepers… I will say three things 1) This is heritage. 2) This is representation. 3) This is African food climbing the food hierachy. To every young Black girl who wonders if her dreams are “too big”… To every Sierra Leonean who never sees their culture in the spotlight… To everyone who believes that food is a powerful form of storytelling… To me fambul dem, I hope this moment inspires you as much as it honours where we come from. From Freetown to Sevenoaks to the world… we move. This was never about me, this is us! Salone to the world and back.