Chef Alex Oke is the Russian-Nigerian co-owner of XO Boutique Bakery, an ambient boutique bakery in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos! It features the best of both worlds of rich french pastry – traditional and modern! In this interview, we uncover whether he prefers Smoked Salmon Bagels to Chocolate Chip Cookies on the menu, his kryptonite 😉, plans for the future and more…

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how you got into the world of food in the first place?
My name is Alex Oke, and my background is in business management and marketing/branding. Becoming a chef was a career change for me which happened 8 years ago. I have a dual diploma in both the culinary and the baking/pastry arts.

What’s your favourite thing to bake for the people you love? Is there a story behind it?
My favourite thing to bake is sourdough bread. No particular story, other than it smells amazing and tastes even better.

June is your birth month. Happy Birthday! Whats your favourite food memory from childhood?
Thank you 😊. My favourite food memories from childhood usually involve cake and soft drinks 🤣

You’ve mentioned that your mom is Russian. Do you ever have hopes of exploring and infusing Russian cuisine into your pastries?
I already have in the past. I had a fusion Russian pop-up on 16/16 in 2017. It was quite interesting, and I continue to explore this aspect of my heritage in my free time. Currently, though, I think there’s a lot more to explore from the Nigerian/African book of flavours and techniques, as Russian patisserie is already well documented.

Who are 2 Lagos pastry chefs you admire?
I admire anyone who is willing to put in the work, but that being said I specifically enjoy Adun by Abby’s work and the Queen Sugar herself Olivia Okeke of Livvy’s Twist.

Pastry is such a great comfort food. What pastry do you turn to after a stressful day?
Cake. Isn’t that the right answer for everyone? Cake just makes you feel better and my weakness is a nice vanilla cake with lush buttercream.

Who is someone you want to cook for?
I don’t really famz famous people and I can’t think of anyone I’d want to cook for that I already haven’t (i.e. my parents, friends &  family).

Speak it into existence! Where do you see XO Bakery in the next 3 to 5 years? What accomplishments are you currently proud of?
I see franchises all over Lagos 😄, and perhaps internationally. I’m proud that I’ve taken XO Bakery and grown it organically, it’s a testament to the amazing support I’ve had over the years in Lagos. Lagos will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t see myself anywhere else.

Any crazy dinner party stories in Lagos you’d like to share?
Ah! Lol, do you really want to hear these? Look out for my memoir which I’ve started working on 😊.

Rapid Fire Round!

Doughnuts: Nutella or Salted Caramel? Neither – vanilla custard 😌
Butter Croissants or Cheesecake in a jar?   Cheesecake in a jar hands down!
Smoked Salmon bagel or Chocolate chip cookie? It’ll have to be the salmon bagel which I eat daily 😆😅
Blueberry strudel muffin or Deli Sandwich? Blueberry muffin!
Turkey Pesto panini Panini or Apple crumble Tart? The melty cheesy goodness of the turkey panini 🤤