A Californian Legend Flies Into London for an Unlikely Bowl Food Collab This Spring

One of London’s more successful poke brands, Island Poké, will collaborate with one of California’s greatest chefs — Nancy Silverton — on a seasonal “guest bowl” this spring. Silverton has lent her name and her brand to a Mediterranean-y salmon poke “Nicoise” bowl, which will feature on the restaurant’s menu from 14th March until the end of May.

Silverton, a James Beard award-winning chef, currently runs two restaurants in LA: Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza; she is the author of eight cookbooks and has appeared on the hit Netflix show Chef’s Table. It’s Silverton’s second London-based appearance in as many years, following the pop-up dinner she featured in at the Gjelina-lite Passo, also in Shoreditch, in the spring of 2018.

“Since launching in 2015, Island Poké has spearheaded the runaway popularity of Hawaiian style poké bowls in London,” an announcement claimed. “[By] working with Silverton, [Island Poké is] declaring ever-larger culinary ambitions.”

Founder James Gould-Porter added: “Island Poké is challenging what can be done in the grab-and-go restaurant sector.” He called it a “real watershed moment” for his brand.

Island Poke [Official Photo]

The bowl itself — which follows a line of collaborations with the likes of Kricket, Mac & Wild, Claw, Pitt Cue, and Chotto Matte — “draws on the cuisine served at Silverton’s Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza.” That inspiration is manifest in a lemon dressing, anchovy vinaigrette, and tapenade. The bowl also comprises a salad leaf base, layers of sliced new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, edamame beans, green olive ciabatta croutons, sashimi-grade salmon, capers and what Silverton calls “the perfect set egg.”

In 2014, Silverton was named ‘Outstanding Chef’ by New York’s James Beard Foundation, before her work was profiled during the 2017 series of Netflix’s Chef’s Table.

“I’m thrilled to contribute to London’s electric food scene,” Silverton said of her somewhat unlikely collaboration. “Los Angeles is filled with restaurants offering fresh, light and healthy dishes, so collaborating with Island Poké feels like the perfect way for me to be a part of London lunchtimes.”

“To grow this series into an international effort — with a figure as accomplished as Nancy — is simply fantastic. I hope it demonstrates how committed we are to our cuisine,” Gould-Porter concluded.

Silverton will be in London for a launch event at Island Poké’s Shoreditch branch on Wednesday 13 March, ahead of the bowl’s appearance on the menu the following day. On Friday, she will be at the brand’s Kingly Court branch in Soho, for a meet and greet opportunity.