Akira Back: Where Passion Meets Precision at Lilli, London

From professional snowboarder to Michelin-starred chef, Akira Back brings his signature blend of Korean heritage and global flair to London’s Montcalm Mayfair. His new restaurant, Lilli, redefines modern dining with bold flavors, refined balance, and heartfelt storytelling on every plate.

Craft, Energy, and the Flow of a Chef’s Mind

For Back, London’s culinary energy fuels creativity: “You can eat the world here,” he says. The city’s diversity challenges him to continuously evolve, blending instinct with innovation. His discipline, however, traces back to his years in professional snowboarding. “Balance, timing, and flow—on a mountain or in the kitchen, you commit fully,” he reflects. It’s this athletic focus that defines his leadership: a kitchen that moves as one, guided by intuition and rhythm.

Awards and Michelin stars are milestones, not goals. “The true success,” he says, “is when a guest returns, brings friends, and trusts you with life’s moments.”

An Elegant Play of Flavors and Philosophy

Back’s food philosophy is rooted in respect for the ingredient, the process, and the story behind every plate. His approach to flavor-building mirrors fine art: delicate layers of fermentation, aging, and contrast, balanced by clarity and restraint.

When not in the kitchen, Back gravitates toward the mountains or tennis courts—spaces of movement, freedom, and flow. Nevertheless, the heart of his world remains culinary: “Taste every sauce twice, once hot, once warm,” he insists, smiling, a quiet metaphor for his life’s work, where precision meets emotion and discipline finds grace.

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