Midtown Supper Club back for second helping

SANDUSKY — On Tuesday, two chefs — Benny Vito and Byron McMorris — met with Sandusky Schools food director Antwon Hunter for an announcement about Midtown Supper Club 2024. Hunter was hired earlier this year and intends to continue the five-year tradition of working in collaboration with Sandusky's recreation department to provide the Midtown Supper Club program. The seven-week programming teaches children ages 8 and up about culinary life skills, hospitality, restaurant management and operations training. Hunter said he's happy to be carrying on the collaboration started under his predecessor, Brad Kraft. "I'm looking forward to seeing the excitement from the kids, especially because these two chefs are dedicating their time and talent to this program," Hunter said. "The kids are going to learn techniques and how to make different dishes. They'll get to see people enjoy the food they produce." "These chefs will be creating a menu based on French cuisine," said Tondra Frisby, the recreation department's youth programming supervisor who started Midtown Supper Club in 2018. The program is also supported by an annual donation from a private citizen who read about the programming in its first year. It earned an Ohio Parks and Recreation Association award, the best of the best program, in the state that year. "When Tondra and I first spoke about this, and she asked if I would consider participating, I could hear the excitement in her voice about how this program positively impacts the kids who participate," McMorris said. "It's a chance to help shape the minds of young people, especially in the culinary arts. There's no way I wouldn't participate. It's a big honor to be part of this." McMorris is the chef at Bay Bell restaurant in Bay View. Vito said he's excited to be part of Midtown Supper Club again this year. "We're going full-on 'Tour de France' with the kids this season," said Vito, who owns Zuppaman at the Sandusky Plaza and has interests in other restaurants in the city. "We'll have 8- to 15-year-olds learning to prepare French cuisine. That's spectacular." The program winds up with a community dinner on Feb. 19 at Sandusky Rec at Mills School, 1918 Mills St., Sandusky. "It will be a supper club experience with music and dancing, and delicious food," Frisby said. "Bon appetite."