BIGT'SBBQ - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations and Master Pit Boss
A natural-born outdoorsman, the first place to look for young Andrew was always outside. He wanted to be fishing off the side of a boat or camping in the woods. Cooking by the campfire, surrounded by family and friends, Andrew loved the sense of home he got by cooking from scratch over an open flame.
Growing up, Andrew was surrounded by a proud military family. His grandfather, mother, uncles, aunts, and brother all served. Inspired by their dedication and hard work, Andrew joined the Canadian Royal Regiment at age 24.
Job Titles:
- General Manager - McMahon since Nov 2022
"I have never met a more dedicated person in my life" Leslie writes, "Bill has found his home at Big T's; this is his last position before retirement, and it was the universe that brought us together. We get along so well, and respect each other immensely!
Bill is amazing with customers; the staff love and respect him and he will work around the clock to get the work done. Bill was in the military, so our leadership style is very similar, and I love that. (Bill and I are Comrades) Bill tells me and others many times how lucky he is to have found a home, with love, respect and appreciation."
Job Titles:
- Catering Manager
- Catering Boss
"All our servers can't be Hilarys!", Andrew declares. "She is a Server at the Deer Ridge location and Catering Sales Manager for Big T's , customers absolutely love Hilary because she is always positive , happy , and engaging. Hilary is laughing all the time and jokes with everyone! She has been at Big T's for 8 years and working with Leslie for over 12 years. (Hilary is like a daughter to Me)", Leslie writes.
Job Titles:
- Owner & Mom of Big T's
- Owner of Big T
Leslie Gardner is more than the owner of Big T's…she's the mom and leader, too. As the keeper of our family traditions and the glue that keeps the crew together, she encourages everyone to pull together and be the best they can be.
Leslie grew up in a military family. Her father and all five of her siblings served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Leslie served with the Royal Canadian Dental Corp in Halifax, Borden, Moose Jaw, Trenton, and Ottawa. She was awarded the W.R. Thompson Trophy for significant contributions to field operations for the RCDC in her role as Sergeant Major of the Multi National Surgical Hospital in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Leslie retired from her position as the RCDC Branch Chief Warrant Officer in 2006.
Job Titles:
- General Manager, Deer Ridge
"Pam has an amazing gift for making people feel welcome.
She goes above and beyond to be accommodating and make our customer celebrations memorable" Leslie writes. "With an amazing work ethic, she treats the business like her own. Her and I are so similar in our approach to the customer's experience, a shared love for this business and for people - I think of her as a "mini-me" and of course, like family!"
"BIG T's is more than a team, we are family", Pam writes.
Pam Benham is an experienced, passionate Customer Service professional with 35 years of experience in the industry. She currently serves as General Manager at Big T's and loves it! Pam is also a proud mother of two beautiful daughters, including one who works part-time as a server alongside her at Big T's. Her greatest joy is being a Nana for the first time to her granddaughter, whom she makes sure to spend quality time with every week.
An avid fan of Big T's menu items, her family favorite is Poutine, which they believe rivals some of the best in Montreal!
Pam lives by the words of Buddha: "What you think you become; What you feel, you attract; What you imagine, you create".