Mavis Nyarkoh-Frey

Owner / General Manager of Clayton’s Siesta Grille

While Clayton’s Siesta Grille just celebrated its 20th anniversary serving up delicious food and drink on Siesta Key, they are also celebrating a new owner, and she is a familiar face. Mavis Nyarkoh-Frey worked for previous owners Clayton and Diane Thompson for 10 years before becoming the new owner.

Born in Ghana, Mavis and her family immigrated to South Africa when she was just four years old. Her parents worked incredibly hard to be able to send all their children to private boarding schools for a good education and a chance at a better life. She realized her passion for hospitality and culinary arts very early in life. She loved to help her mother cook, and there was always a meal being prepared for family or neighbors. 

In high school, Mavis loved attending Home Economic classes and continued to learn the art of cooking. She persuaded administrators to convert an empty building into a functioning restaurant to serve the dishes they were learning in a professional environment. 

Mavis later graduated from college in Pretoria South Africa with degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. Right out of college, she was recruited by a company that gave her the opportunity to come to the United States to begin her professional career in the resort industry at just 20 years old.

Quickly into her career in the United States, she found Clayton’s Siesta Grille as it was first opening and began working in pretty much every role available. She worked at Clayton’s for its first 10 years of business, and the restaurant truly felt like the essence of Sarasota. 

“I just fell in love with Sarasota. I love working and raising my son here because it is such a beautiful place and you have all kinds of people from all walks of life,” explains Mavis. “Sarasota has now blossomed into this place where people from diverse backgrounds and cultures come to visit and live.” 

When she and husband Randy decided to have a family, Mavis briefly left the restaurant industry and acquired a degree in early childhood development. She became a preschool teacher and eventually was promoted to director. During this time where she devoted her career to educating young children, Mavis and Randy were also raising their son Elijah, who is now eight years old. 

“The restaurant business was calling me back,” said Mavis. “Having a young child while working in the restaurant industry was difficult. I wanted to be there for Elijah during those developmental years. Now that he is older, I can give more of myself to the industry that I love.” 

Clayton got word of her desire to return and came calling, only this time she had the opportunity to buy the business that she was so very much a part of from its inception. 

“I’m one of those employees that worked every station and every section,” explained Mavis. “It’s a place where I grew up and I feel comfortable here. Coming back to it has been like leaving home and returning after several years of being away.

The restaurant suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Despite these unfortunate happenings, Clayton’s has reopened after several weeks of hard work by everyone to keep its dream alive.

When you walk through the doors here, you will be greeted with a warm smile as if you are family and your arrival was expected. When you visit my restaurant, it’s like coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house. You are part of the family. I want my guests to experience Siesta Key and true hospitality.”

Text by Tom Reese | Photo by Nancy Guth

1256 Old Stickney Point Rd. Sarasota, FL 34232
941-349-2800
mavisf@claytonssiestagrille.com
claytonssiestagrille.com