A SCHOOL dinner lady has swapped bangers and mash for something a bit more up-market after opening her own restaurant.
Michelle Hunter is running Da Vinci's Bistro Bar and Beer Garden in Princes Dock Street, Hull Marina.
Having worked in schools throughout the city for a number of years, she was looking for a new challenge.
The restaurant was formerly Port-Side, which closed last year after it flooded due to a faulty water pipe in the wall.
Michelle, who has worked at Kelvin Hall, Kingswood High School and Hedon Primary, decided to make a go of it by opening her own bistro.
"I left to have a baby and then worked in schools part-time but I needed to build my confidence up again," she said.
"I loved being a dinner lady and wanted to continue doing a job which involved working with people.
"My husband James is a builder and he helped to get everything sorted and I hired four other members of staff.
"We've been open for a few months and it's getting busier every day.
"Our customers have also given us some great feedback."
The bistro serves predominantly tapas and Italian food, with seafood and fish dishes.
The inspiration for the menu comes from the Mediterranean but the ingredients are from much closer to home – starting with fresh herbs from the bistro's beer garden.
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," Louis said. "And I'm hoping to add some peppers.
"We source everything locally for freshness and to support local businesses and you can't get much closer than your own back garden."
And Michelle, 40, jokes that she doesn't have to try and persuade her customers to eat their vegetables.
The business is also 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, who lives in Thorngumbald, said: "We've made sure the restaurant is accessible for people in wheelchairs, we've got a high-specification disabled toilet 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 and it's becoming known as an area for good food.
"The owners of Leonardo's restaurant nearby have been a great help to me, which I really appreciate because this is the first time I've done this."
The friendship with the team at Leonardo's inspired the name Da Vinci's and Michelle has developed the theme.
"The restaurant is bright and airy and we've decorated it by putting up sketches on the walls," she said.
"People have asked why I've opened a business during such difficult times but there will always be people who enjoy eating out.
"Hopefully, they will see that we are doing something a bit different here."
