OUR STORY
At The Counter, London, Chef-Founder Kemal Demirasal brings a lifetime of culinary passion, creativity, and global inspiration to the table. Born in Izmir, Turkey, Kemal’s journey into food started young—his mother ran a small neighbourhood restaurant, instilling in him a deep appreciation for flavour, hospitality, and tradition.
Pushing culinary boundaries
Before stepping into the kitchen, Kemal was a professional windsurfer, but his love for food ultimately led him to open his first restaurant, Barbun in Alaçatı in 1999.
At The Counter, Kemal fuses his deep-rooted Turkish heritage with bold, contemporary techniques, offering a modern take on classic favourites from Turkey and neighbouring cuisines.
