Part of the new summer menu at Shwen Shwen (credit John Scott Blackwell)
New Summer menu launches at Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford
Michelin Guide’s ‘Opening of the Year’ Award 2026 and Bib Gourmand
Conde Nast Traveller ‘Best New Chef’ and ‘Best New Restaurant’ Award 2026
Square Meal UK’s Top 100 Restaurants
Images can be downloaded HERE (credit John Scott Blackwell)
The new summer menu at Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is debuting on 22nd April. Launching with a selection of options including Chef’s Choice, A La Carte and Lunch Menu, each menu offers a distinctive take on Afro-fusion cuisine with inspiration from Maria’s homeland of Sierra Leone.
Awarded the Michelin Guide’s Opening of the Year, Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is an intimate and elegant dining experience bringing the bold, vibrant flavours of Sierra Leone to the historic market town of Sevenoaks, Kent. Founded by award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford, this debut restaurant honours the storytelling and spice of West Africa while presenting each dish with contemporary precision and flair.
Sierra Leonean flavours and ingredients are the heart of Maria’s cooking. Grains, herbs, spices and leaves that might be unfamiliar to a Western audience provide layers of complexity, texture and heat, showcasing the food diversity and resourcefulness in Sierra Leonean cooking. Ingredients such as fonio, moringa, baobab, red palm oil, egusi, grains of paradise and jute leaves are highly nutritious and just some of the superfoods found in Maria’s menus.
From the new a la carte menu start with bar snacks such as Chicken Skewers, Lemongrass, Groundnut or Lamb Croquette, Tomato, Red Palm Oil, Shito before small plates to share of Kankankan Octopus, Romesco or Beetroot, Goats Curd, Fonio and Egusi Granola. Main courses are offered as sharing plate for two people such as the rich and savoury Beef Short-rib, Groundnut and Coconut; Seabass roasted whole wrapped in Banana Leaf and Lemongrass or try the celebratory and family-style Jollof, served with slow-braised ox cheeks and Krio stew. For desserts, Maria serves an imaginative take on a classic cheesecake, made with cassava and served with plum compote; or try a Coconut Panna Cotta, Summer Berry Tea or a bowl of refreshing Baobab and Grapefruit Sorbet, Hibiscus.
About Shwen Shwen
Shwen Shwen received a Michelin Bib Gourmand within six months of opening and was recognised by the Guide as the ‘Opening of the Year’. Shwen Shwen was also Conde Nast Traveller’s Best Restaurant of the Year 2026, and Maria Bradford was named Chef of the Year.
Blending authentic Sierra Leonean tradition with contemporary influences, Shwen Shwen offers a truly unique dining experience. The name, derived from the Krio language, means ‘fancy’ - but for Maria, it represents much more than just her food. It embodies a way of life, and an invitation to share in something special
Tucked away down a charming, cobbled alleyway, Shwen Shwen opens into Maria’s re-branded Cotton Tree Yard – an exclusive outdoor terrace - before welcoming guests into an evocative space designed to feel both elegant and intimate. Inside, rich hues of burnt terracotta and smoky aubergine create a warm, cocooning atmosphere, enhanced by tactile surfaces, bespoke hand-painted fabrics, and wallpaper inspired by vintage West African and Sierra Leonean textiles. Every detail has been carefully chosen to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and feel at home.
A Culinary Journey to Sierra Leone
Maria’s passion for food began in her childhood home in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she learned to cook alongside her mother and grandmother. Drawing inspiration from the streets of Freetown, rural villages, and the Sierra Leone River, her menu reflects the diverse and rich culinary traditions of her homeland.
Using signature ingredients such as moringa, fonio, tamarind, sesame, egusi, baobab and hibiscus, Maria creates bold, layered flavours that transport diners with every bite.
Shwen Shwen is more than a restaurant, it is a celebration of heritage, culture, and storytelling through food.
Notes to Editors
Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford
1-2 Well Court
Bank Street
Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UN
Website & Reservations: www.shwenshwen.com
Instagram: @shwenshwenbymaria
About Maria Bradford
Maria Bradford is an award-winning chef, author, and influencer. Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, she developed her love for cooking at the age of nine, learning from her mother and grandmother. After moving to Kent as a teenager, Maria trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine before launching her own catering business, Maria Bradford Kitchen, in 2017, now known as Shwen Shwen.
Maria’s work has been widely recognised for its innovative approach to Sierra Leonean cuisine, and she has become a key advocate for West African culinary heritage. Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is her award-winning, independent, female-owned debut restaurant which opened its doors in June 2025.