Introducing hello JoJo; a new restaurant and bakery on Camberwell’s Church Street in South East London created by locals Jo(Jo) Lavender and Rob Newlan. The all-day eatery will be a love letter to their neighbourhood, boasting an impressive menu of seasonal dishes from Head Chef Will Faris (ex The Dairy, The Ritz, Naughty Piglets) and baked goods from Head Baker Jo Garner (ex Mountain, Toad, e5 Bakehouse) with FOH led by General Manager Abie Lamin (ex Berber & Q group).
Using only the finest-quality ingredients, hello JoJo is dedicated to creating exceptional dishes and bakes using suppliers such as Hodmedods, Farmer Tom Jones, and special seasonal produce from Namayasai farm.
The Restaurant will be open for breakfast through dinner, serving playful, elevated comfort food using carefully selected ingredients. For weekday lunch, Chef Faris will prepare deli-inspired dishes, like slices of house sourdough topped with Grilled sardines, marinated courgettes and asparagus salad, or Fresh curds, broad beans and smoked artichokes. On weekends, expect the likes of Baker’s eggs and potato crumpet with brown butter and sticky mushrooms for breakfast, followed by seasonal fresh pastas and dishes like Fava bean puree with chicory with fresh bread for lunch. As the evening draws in, guests can expect dishes such as Tamworth pork chop with a buttery spring garlic sauce, or Smoked potato dumplings with spring greens. Desserts will include a Marmalade tart made with Todoli citrus and Cold-pressed rapeseed oil ice-cream with gooseberries.
The Bakery will serve freshly baked bread alongside sweet and savoury pastries alongside freshly baked bread. Think classics like Honey buns, Bacon sandwiches, Overnight oats, thoughtful takes on old-school favourites, and creative flavour combinations that elevate every bake. From vegan Vanilla buns and Chocolate Rye Swiss Roll to the likes of Pizza buns there’s something to suit all occasions and cravings. Head Barista, Florian Cross (formerly of Grove Lane Deli), will be using specialty coffee from South London roasters.
To drink, Old World, low-intervention wines from Dynamic Wines, Emile, Tutto, and Wright’s have been selected by Mina Holland (ex Guardian Feast) to complement the ever-changing seasonal menu as well as tap wines from Uncharted Wines. A selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages have been developed by JoJo herself, including a Fennel brine Martiniand classic serves such as Vermouth and Soda and Spritzes just in time for summer. Local beer from Camberwell brewery Orbit will be on tap as well as non-alcoholic alternatives from Nirvana Brewery.
The design is headed by renowned architect Stephen Harty and will be grounded in warmth and hospitality, paying homage to the diverse, creative community of Camberwell. The interiors are the work of fashion stylist turned interior designer, Michelle Kelly, who has focused on a considered balance between a bold, impactful primary colour palette with a playful retro nod throughout. Kelly has also incorporated pieces from local artists and students from Camberwell Art College to bring the space to life.
On the opening, Rob Newlan and Jo Lavender share, “hello JoJo is a true celebration of the very special place that we call home. Our ambition is to create a space that encapsulates the spirit of our neighbourhood and to be a place where everyone feels welcome. The priority is for guests to leave feeling nourished by great flavours, enjoy the good vibes and a warm reception, and always to leave with the glow of a good time.”
hello JoJo is set to open its doors in Camberwell on 10th May. Reservations can be made on the website here.
