A Celebration of Food, Culture, and Community

Ebi-Ayo Supper Club is more than a dinner. It’s a gathering where culture, community, and connection come together through the universal language of food. The name is inspired by the Yoruba words Ebi (family) and Ayo (joy), reflecting our mission to create meaningful experiences that celebrate belonging, togetherness, and the joy of sharing a meal. At its heart, this experience is rooted in my personal journey and the experiences that have shaped my relationship with food. Born in Nigeria, I moved to Columbia, Missouri, with my family in December 1998. The very first meal I had in America was Italian food, an experience that sparked a lifelong curiosity about different cuisines, cultures, and the stories behind them.

Growing up between cultures taught me that food is more than nourishment. It carries history, preserves traditions, and creates connections that transcend borders. Over the years, my travels have taken me to different parts of the world, introducing me to new ingredients, cooking techniques, and culinary traditions that continue to influence my approach to cooking. In 2021, a trip to Italy brought much of that philosophy into focus. I witnessed the pride people took in their culinary traditions, the joy surrounding every meal, and the importance of gathering around the table.

It reminded me of my Nigerian upbringing, where food has always been a way to express love, build community, and bring people together. That experience became one of the inspirations behind Ebi-Ayo Supper Club. But as I continued traveling, I began to understand that some of the most meaningful culinary experiences happen beyond the plate. During a trip to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to connect with a chef named Jose. Through our conversations and the time we spent together, he shared three lessons that have stayed with me and continue to influence how I approach food.

The first was respect for food. Every ingredient deserves care, attention, and intention. Cooking isn’t simply about transforming ingredients into a dish. It’s about appreciating where they come from, the people who produce them, and the traditions behind them. The second was the importance of preserving family traditions. He reminded me to “always remember grandma’s cooking.” Those words resonated deeply because some of our most meaningful connections to food begin at home. The recipes passed down through generations, the aromas that remind us of childhood, and the meals prepared by the people who raised us are all part of our cultural identity. As chefs, we have an opportunity to honor those memories while creating something new.

The third was the importance of travel. Chef Jose emphasized that to truly understand a culture’s cuisine, you have to experience it firsthand. You have to visit the places where ingredients are grown, meet the people who prepare the food, listen to their stories, and understand the history and heritage that shape their culinary traditions. That conversation stayed with me because it reinforced something I’ve come to believe throughout my journey: food is one of the most powerful ways to understand people, their history, and the world around us. These experiences, from my Nigerian upbringing to my childhood in America and my travels around the world, have shaped the culinary philosophy behind Ebi-Ayo Supper Club.

Today, Ebi-Ayo Supper Club is a reflection of my heritage, travels, and the diverse cultures that continue to inspire me. While Nigerian cuisine remains at the heart of my culinary identity, my approach embraces flavors, ingredients, and techniques from around the world. Each dish tells a story, bringing together familiar traditions and unexpected influences to create something uniquely my own. Our dining experience features five thoughtfully curated, family-style courses designed to take guests on a culinary journey. Every menu is an exploration of culture, creativity, and storytelling, celebrating the beauty of different cuisines while honoring the traditions that inspire them.

But beyond the food, the heart of Ebi-Ayo Supper Club has always been about bringing people together. In Nigeria, asking “Ṣé o ti jẹun?” (“Have you eaten?”) is more than a question. It’s an expression of care, hospitality, and love. That same spirit lives at our chef’s table, where strangers become friends, conversations turn into connections, and every guest is welcomed like family. In a world where genuine human connection can sometimes feel lost, Ebi-Ayo Supper Club was created to offer something different: an intimate space to slow down, share stories, discover new flavors, and create lasting memories.

For me, cooking has never been just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the people gathered around it, the stories exchanged, and the memories we carry long after the evening ends. At Ebi-Ayo Supper Club, you arrive as a guest and leave as family. Join us for dinner. I look forward to welcoming you to the chef’s table.