Canadian-educated Kenny Hewitt and his family run Zemi Cafe on Barbados' east coast
May 24, 2023
Though grateful for a Canadian education, Barbados is the place where Kenny Hewitt feels the deepest affection for no matter where he is.
After a decade studying in Quebec and working in Ottawa, the Bishop’s University 1990 Business Administration graduate returned to his birth country 30 years ago and has created businesses that benefit the Caribbean island and local communities.
His most recent business venture, Zemi Café, opened in Bathsheba seven months ago.
Kenny Hewitt along with his wife Gayle Talma and daughter Ella Hewitt at the family-owned Zemi Cafe (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Located in the newly developed Hillcrest Community Centre on the island’s east coast with a wraparound patio and a scenic hilltop view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the boutique dinery offers an eclectic menu at reasonable prices.
Situated in a fishing village, it is not surprising that a large percentage of the cuisine is seafood.
They range from local char grilled octopus and coconut crusted barracuda to spice crusted yellow fin and grilled mahi mahi.
The ‘Soup Bowl’ Catch of the Day comprises mahi mahi, breadfruit and potato chiva mash with vegetables and lemon sauce (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“We try to offer honest food,” said Hewitt who co-owns Zemi with his wife Gayle Talma. “We are talking about good flavour portions and healthy meals. We travel a lot, so we have taken bits and pieces from our world travels and incorporated that into what we do.”
The new Hillcrest Centre in Beachmont Community Park opened in June 2022.
The new Hillcrest Community Centre opened in the summer of 2022 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“This area was derelict for nearly 30 years,” said Hewitt who is an avid surfer. “When we learnt of the redevelopment and saw what was done to enhance this space, we decided to jump right in and seize the opportunity to do business here. Besides offering great food, one of the things we wanted to do was ensure that we provide employment for young people in the area. If you look around, you will see that most of the people who work here are youths, including our daughter (Ella Hewitt) who is the Manager.”
Ella Hewitt manages Zemi Cafe
The name Hillcrest is derived from its elevated position and archeologists identified the site as an early American settlement.
Having resided in Bathsheba the last 28 years, Hewitt is aware of the history and chose the name Zemi for the family-owned business that is about a 20-minute drive from Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados.
A deity or ancestral spirit, a zemi was also a sculptural object housing the spirit among the Caribbean’s Taino people.
“These Indigenous people made vast contributions in their time which should not be forgotten,” said Hewitt. “Zemi was also the name they gave to their physical representations and we are paying tribute to them by giving our business that name.”
Zemi Cafe opened seven months ago in the newly developed Hillcrest Community Centre (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Zemi’s kitchen is open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday and reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends.
To make a reservation, individuals can call (246) 571-9172.
The café hosted media practitioners who were in Barbados for the 41st annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Travel Marketplace from May 9 to 11.
V. Sheree Williams, the Publisher/Editor of Cuisine Noir that is a multicultural food, wine and travel lifestyle magazine, relished the experience.
“Whenever I travel to new destinations, I love to visit places where locals go for great food and have a good time,” said the Northern California-based Founder & Executive Director of The Global Food & Drink Initiative. “From the attentive staff to the serene backdrop of the water, Zemi Café was refreshing and relaxing. The food was fresh and authentic with those little Bajan touches and the cocktails made amazing starters to kick off the experience. If Zemi Café is not one of the island’s top brunch spots already, I am sure it will be soon.”
Zemi Cafe is located on Barbados’ east coast (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
After completing his undergraduate degree, Hewitt worked at a bottling plant and owned a record store distributing Caribbean music before returning home.
“My grandparents lived in Montreal and my brother and sister were born in Canada,” he pointed out. “I am the only sibling born in Barbados where I want to be.”
In 2002, Hewitt opened the family-operated Premium Seafood Ltd. that offers a wide range of local and imported fish to clients across the island.
His wife, who comes from a surfing family, graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration & Management and is the Group Operations Director for Elegant Hotels that comprise the island’s west and south coast luxury properties, including Tamarind, Crystal Cove, Colony Club and Turtle Beach.
