Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant’s The Spot is now open. The unique 1,200-square-foot space seamlessly blends the elements of a café, fresh grocer, and job training facility all in one, well, spot.
The Spot hopes to become a hub for the community at 2000 Vine Street, near the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
The Spot offers delectable treats from its rotating menu and opportunities for aspiring chefs. Employees, known as cohorts, are enrolled in an apprenticeship through McAfee-Bryant’s social venture called The Prospect KC.
“The menu will change with the cohorts, but my only criteria are that the menu is healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate,” says McAfee-Bryant.
Open for breakfast and lunch, The Spot’s menu features coffee, pastries, specialty drinks, sandwiches, salads, and wraps. And what’s more, special discounts for neighborhood residents ensure that The Spot becomes a gathering place for locals to connect, share, and enjoy culinary delights together.
Working behind the counter at The Spot is not just Chef Shanita herself but also learners in her culinary training program, The Prospect KC. The Spot is the physical space where the public can see the work of the nonprofit social venture and access fresh, affordable food. The Spot also accepts SNAP for their fresh groceries.
Grand Opening
The Spot will have a grand opening event the last weekend of July, with the regular menu on Friday and a fundraiser Saturday, July 28-29.
The dinner that Saturday commemorates Chef Shanita’s birthday and the opening of The Spot. The fundraiser is a five-course meal with drink pairings. Each course will be conceptualized and prepared by a different chef.
McAfee-Bryant hand-selected six all-star female chefs from across the country for the celebration dinner. The lineup includes: Jihye Kim, Vicky Colas, Adrian Lipscombe, Toni Elkhouri, Terra Rodgers, and Stephanie Echeverry. Acclaimed bartender Mari Matsumoto will create cocktails to pair with each course. In addition to the meal and drinks, music will be provided by Malek Axrael & The Vibez.
The five-course celebration dinner starts at 6 p.m., and tickets start at $100. Proceeds from the celebration dinner go to support The Prospect KC, which is a nonprofit organization run by McAfee-Bryant that looks to offer job training and apprenticeships to those living near poverty. Tax-deductible donations can be made and chef’s dinner tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3rx0HHw.
The Spot KC
2000 Vine St.
Kansas City, Missouri
Mon, Wed, Thu
8 a.m. to 4 p.m
Fridays
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed Sundays & Tuesdays
Celebration Chef’s Dinner
2000 Vine St
Kansas City, Missouri
Sat., July 29
6 p.m.
Tickets start at $100
Buy tickets at https://bit.ly/3rx0HHw