News & Information

BTMI Completes First-Ever “Dine With A Bajan” Host Training Workshop

The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has successfully completed its re-engineered Dine with a Bajan (DWB) Host Training Workshop, marking a major milestone in the re-launch of one of the island’s most exciting experiential tourism offerings to date.

Designed to showcase the warmth, flavour, culture, and hospitality of Barbados, the Dine with a Bajan programme invites visitors, members of the diaspora, and locals alike to enjoy authentic home-cooked meals in the homes and spaces of welcoming Barbadian hosts.

More than just a culinary adventure, the initiative is firmly grounded in sustainable community tourism, creating new earning opportunities for locals while preserving the rich traditions of Barbadian storytelling and hospitality.

“Dine with a Bajan is more than a tourism initiative, it is a bold statement about who we are and what we value as a nation,” said Ms. Marsha Alleyne, Chief Product Development Officer at BTMI.

“It represents a powerful act of cultural preservation and economic inclusion, placing private citizens at the heart of the visitor experience. We’re not just inviting guests to taste our food, we’re inviting them to connect with our people, our heritage, and our way of life. This is tourism that empowers communities, tells our stories on our terms, and keeps the economic impact where it belongs, right here at home.”

The two-day workshop, held at the BTMI Headquarters in Warrens, was delivered under the championship of Product Development Officer, Chanique Morris, with executive oversight from Ms. Alleyne, the programme’s visionary, and support from Manager of Guest Experience,  Althea O’Neal.

Speaking on the project, Ms. Morris noted, “Dine with a Bajan is an opportunity to transform the way we think about tourism.” Morris added, “It responds directly to the growing demand from experiential travellers, those who crave meaningful, personal connections over traditional sightseeing. At the same time, it creates an economic avenue for locals to earn from what they know and love: cooking, storytelling, and connecting. We are proud to build a tourism product that supports authentic cultural exchange and delivers real household impact.”

Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Out the Box Catering, Keisha Hamblin, delivering a presentation to participants of the ‘Dine with a Bajan’ Host Training Workshop. (BTMI)

The 11 selected hosts were guided through a robust training programme that covered three key areas:

  • Health and Safety – Conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, this session was led by Mrs. Lana McQuilkin-Prescod, who guided hosts through essential food handling practices, home readiness, and hygiene protocols to ensure guest well-being.
  • Service Excellence and the Art of Storytelling – Facilitated by motivational speaker and trainer Mr. Raphael Saul, this session provided hosts with essential customer service training, focusing on professionalism, warmth, and creating unforgettable guest experiences. Participants were also equipped with storytelling techniques that will assist them in sharing their personal and cultural narratives in ways that deeply connect with guests and elevate the overall hospitality journey.
  • Culinary Excellence – Led by Executive Chefs Keisha and Kim Hamblin, owners of Out the Box Catering and Yella Meat, this hands-on session explored menu planning, food safety, plating techniques, and enhancing the overall dining experience.

The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Hosts expressed genuine excitement about being part of the programme’s foundation and shared a strong desire to deliver exceptional guest experiences rooted in national pride and Bajan hospitality.

Maria Joseph, owner of Sweet Genius and one of the newly trained hosts, shared her enthusiasm on joining the inaugural Dine with a Bajan Training Workshop.

“Being a part of the very first Dine with a Bajan cohort is an honour. The training was not only inspiring but incredibly practical, it gave me additional confidence, knowledge, and the support I need to welcome guests into my home with pride.” She continued, “I’m excited to share our culture, our food, and our stories with the world. But even more than that, I see this as a real opportunity for a chance to earn an additional income doing something I love, while helping shape how visitors experience the real Barbados.”

Dine with a Bajan is part of BTMI’s broader commitment to diversifying the tourism product, empowering local entrepreneurs, and delivering immersive, memory-making experiences that resonate with today’s conscious, curious traveller.

For more information and updates on Dine with a Bajan, interested persons may follow BTMI on Facebook and Instagram @VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados, as this innovative initiative gets underway.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Author: Public Relations