Grand Life Winter:Spring 2023 - Flipbook - Page 30
MEET
BRENDA
Owner of Brenda's Sweet
Tooth at the Grand Bahama
Farmer's Market
One of Brenda McKinney’s very first jobs
was in the hospitality industry. She would
assist professional dancers as they got
ready to perform at Bahamian cultural
shows in the 1980s, and naturally got to
meet lots of diverse men and women.
“I met a lot of tourists during this time,
and I got to like them alot” notes Brenda.
It was during this time that she also learnt
the art of bartending. “When one of the
bartenders was off for the day, I would
just get behind the bar. I got really into it.”
Brenda notes that the bartenders were
willing to teach her how to mix drinks and
she was eager to learn everything that
she could from them.
Eventually, Brenda decided to try her
hand at her own business. Along with her
friend, Janet, the pair opened “The Big
Valley”. To promote the restaurant and
bar, Brenda began handing out flyers to
tour groups and visitors at the Grand
Bahama Farmer’s Market, encouraging
them to visit for dinner.
Brenda notes that she was in her element
at this time - cooking, interacting with
visitors, and doing what she was
passionate about. After the building
where “The Big Valley” was located got
new owners, Brenda decided to take her
skills back to the Farmer's Market.