Michelle is learning fast as she drops school dinners for Da Vinci’s.

Former school dinner lady Michelle Hunter is serving up a different class of dishes in her new role as owner of Da Vinci’s Bistro Bar and Beer Garden.

Michelle held various roles in senior schools throughout the Hull area and has also worked in retail, so she decided to combine her experience of both sectors when the restaurant in Princes Dock Street became available.

The inspiration for the menu comes from the Mediterranean but the ingredients are from much closer to home – starting with fresh herbs from the beer garden at the back. Chef Louis Byron’s green-fingered mum Rachel planted the garden, Michelle tends it and Louis cuts and cooks it. “We’ve got tomatoes, chillis, chives, oregano and all sorts of other delights growing there, and I’m hoping to add some peppers,” said Louis.

“We source everything locally for freshness and to support local businesses, and you can’t get much closer than your own back garden!”

The business is also particularly disabled-friendly, with Michelle drawing inspiration from her parents, Pete and Sue Harker, who have turned their house into a residential home for people with special needs.

Michelle said: “We’ve made sure the restaurant is accessible for people in wheelchairs, we’ve got a high-specification disabled loo and having worked at Barnardo’s for a while I can even do a bit of sign language.

“I feel really at home here and we want our customers to feel the same. It’s a great part of the city, it’s becoming known as an area for good food and everyone works together. The owners of Leonardo’s have been a great help to me, especially when it came to sorting out the licence, and I really appreciate that because this is my first experience of business and there’s a lot to learn.”

The friendship with the team at Leonardo’s inspired the name Da Vinci’s in the first place, and Michelle has developed the theme. “The restaurant is bright and airy and we’ve decorated with sketches on the walls,” said Michelle. “People have asked me why I would open a business in such difficult economic times, but business is a gamble anyway and there will always be people who enjoy eating out. Hopefully they will see that we are doing something a bit different.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “Princes Dock Street is well established as a quality dining area and Da Vinci’s is a welcome addition. “Michelle has thrown her heart and soul into her new venture and she’s got some unique ideas to really draw in the customers. We’re very impressed with what we’ve seen so far and we wish her every success.”

(Photograph by Karl Andre).