An Evening at The Huffman Black
A Private Table. A Shared Language. A 1 of 1 Experience.
There are certain spaces that let you know—immediately—that you’ve stepped into something different.
The Huffman Black is one of them.
You approach an all-black, three-story grand house tucked into the heart of the Huffman Historic District. It’s quiet in that way that feels intentional. No signs screaming for attention. No chaos. Just presence.
Once you press through the entry doors, it clicks:
You’re not walking into a typical event.
You’re stepping into a room curated for leaders, creatives, and tastemakers from across Ohio.
This isn’t dinner.
This is dining with purpose.
Where Culinary Art Meets Community
This private chef experience was presented by FEI—@fei_dayton—alongside a collective of local culinary talent who came together to create something truly rare: a one-of-one dining experience.
From the first course, it was clear—this wasn’t food meant to simply be eaten.
It was food meant to be understood.
Plates arrived visually striking, layered with intentional textures, thoughtful notes, and flavor profiles that don’t show up on everyday menus. And trust me—I eat well. Often.
Still, this experience had me thinking differently.
Different ingredients.
Different techniques.
Different approaches to how flavor can tell a story.
By the end of the night, I was already mentally updating my pantry and rethinking how I cook at home. That’s when you know it’s special—when a meal doesn’t end at the table.
The Chefs Behind the Experience
The evening featured two chefs local to Dayton, Ohio:
Chef Brendon Miller and Chef Zackary Weiner—formerly of Jollity in Dayton’s Fire Blocks District.
For those who know, Jollity was a local favorite. Instead of maintaining a traditional brick-and-mortar model, the chefs chose to shut it down to pursue something more intentional: a rotating, invitation-driven dining concept built around exclusivity, storytelling, and connection.
If you’re wondering what to call that model, it lives somewhere between a Chef’s Table, Supper Club, and Pop-Up Tasting Experience—but even those labels feel too small for what this is becoming.
This is curated dining for people who value the experience as much as the meal.
Seven Courses. One Flow.
The night unfolded through a seven-course tasting menu, each dish intentionally designed to lead into the next.
What set this apart wasn’t just the food—it was the presentation.
Each course was introduced tableside.
Live. Personal. Thoughtful.
The chefs walked us through:
how the dish was prepared
where the inspiration came from
why certain ingredients were paired together
how the current course set the stage for what was coming next
Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt scripted.
It was guiding, complementary, and immersive—like chapters in a story you didn’t want to end.
Each course was paired with wine, carefully selected to enhance—not overpower—the experience.
More Than a Meal
Here’s where this night separated itself from just “going out to dinner.”
This experience wasn’t only about eating well—it was about who you were eating with.
The table brought together individuals who share a common appreciation for fine dining, but more importantly, for meaningful connection. Conversations flowed naturally. Barriers dissolved. Community formed in real time.
During his closing remarks, Chef Zack shared something that stuck with me.
He said he hoped that beyond enjoying the food, guests would leave having connected with someone new—someone they might continue to dine with, build with, and create memories alongside in the future.
That’s powerful.
That’s intentional hospitality.
The Takeaway
This wasn’t just an exclusive dinner.
It was a reminder of what happens when craft, environment, and people align.
The Huffman Black provided the stage.
The chefs delivered the artistry.
The guests brought the energy.
And together, it became something that can’t be replicated—only remembered.
If this is a glimpse of what’s coming next from this collective, consider me locked in.
Because experiences like this don’t just feed you.
They stay with you.
And honestly?
I’m already ready for the next seat at the table.
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