Sandusky grad opens successful Medina food service

MEDINA — A Sandusky-native followed in the footsteps of her mother and cooked up an idea for a successful business.Laura Kanieski grew up helping her mom, Kathy Ramone, at Ramone's Supper Club — a restaurant, catering service and banquet hall — which used to be on Tiffin Avenue, where Fox Cycle Works is today. She used her experience to open ParTake Kitchen in Medina."I've always loved feeding people," Kanieski said. "That's what my mom's business was all about."Ramone died before Kanieski graduated from Sandusky High School in 1997, but she followed her mother's advice and enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island."My mom made me promise I would go to college and do something with my life," Kanieski said. "I kept my promise to her."The university offered her the opportunity to attend lectures taught by world-renowned chefs like Julie Child and Emeril Lagasse. After graduating with her culinary arts degree, she returned to Ohio.She worked as a chef at various caterers in the Medina area until she had an epiphany for her own business."We always feel rushed, and people don't always have the time to prepare a meal," Kanieski said. "I wanted to do something that made dinner time easier for families."This desire led to the creation of ParTake Kitchen, a business that makes healthy eating easier by preparing meals for people. Customers order the meals from a weekly menu, which includes options sensitive to dietary restrictions and allergies.Laura Kanieski opened ParTake Kitchen in Medina. Kanieski grew up in Sandusky, where her mom owned a catering business.ParTake cooks, packages and freezes the meal. Customers pick the meal up, heat it in the oven or microwave and enjoy it. The business has thrived since it first opened in August."It took off like gangbusters since our first day," Kanieski said. "We had more than 175 orders, and it's been a gradual climb since. We have customers coming from all over the place. I think my mom would be really proud."She has no plans at this time, but Kanieski thinks the ParTake Kitchen is ripe for growth into other communities, and she knows the first place she'd expand to if the time comes."The first place I would put another kitchen is Sandusky, for sure, because I feel very connected to the area," Kanieski said. "There are a lot of people who I care about that call Sandusky home."Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterParTake Kitchen in Medina was opened by 1997 Sandusky graduate Laura Kanieski.ParTake Kitchen in Medina was opened by 1997 Sandusky graduate Laura Kanieski.ParTake Kitchen in Medina was opened by 1997 Sandusky graduate Laura Kanieski.