Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2019 | Page 150

plates with cold Carib
beer as the accompanying
beverage. Empty beer cases
were provided as seats for his
patrons.
During the mid-80’s, a
generous friend transported
Sunshine on his boat
every day, back and forth
to Pinney’s Beach from St.
Kitts. He would be dropped
off in the morning with his
cooler and BBQ grill, and the
friend would return later in
the day with tourists who
wanted to spend some time
on the beach. While there,
they would also enjoy the
delectable dishes and inviting
atmosphere in Sunshine’s
humble beach shack.
From these modest roots
under the shade of the palm
trees, Sunshine worked hard
and expanded bit- by- bit.
Eventually he added a few
picnic tables for his guests
and then a thatched palm
leaf roof for shade from the
hot Caribbean sun. This rural
setting soon became the
popular beach bar hang out
for locals and tourists alike. It
was five long years before the
first guests from Four Seasons
Resort came over.
Fast forward to today:
Sunshine has managed to
keep the original rustic appeal
of his restaurant which is now
encased in a simple, colorful
décor, accented by flags from
his many visitors from across
the world.
Numerous photographs from
famous celebrities, local VIPs,
family and friends cover the
driftwood walls, a source
of pride for Sunshine who
welcomes all to his place to
share in the fun.
Natural and other disasters
have adversely affected his
business location over the
years, but they have not
dampened his spirit. His
imaginative infrastructure
makes for a quick rebound: “I
have been blown away many
times and burnt down twice,”
says Sunshine, “so I don’t go for
anything too fancy”.
As the famous comic Tracey
Ullman quipped, “Sunshine,
you are a legend in your own
lunchtime!”
Never forgetting his humble
beginnings, Sunshine is today
a generous sponsor of youth
organizations, programs for
the elderly, and the needs of
the local hospital. He willingly
hosts and participates in fund
raising activities on the island,
especially in the fields of
education, health and sports.
Disadvantaged youths on
Nevis are also offered a
helping hand. He is well
known as a mentor, offering
them the opportunity to learn
a skill as they work with him
in his restaurant’s kitchen.
Sunshine’s legendary Killer Bee rum punch is a must-have when visiting Nevis. He invented it in
the early 90’s and credits his grandmother for the “secret” recipe.
“One: you are stung
Two: beware, and
Three: it’s a knock out!”