#tbt to Picante at Jamaica Food and Drink Festival last year! As we are all at a bit of a standstill, see the festival’s NEW dates that will be before Jamaica Carnival here:
Looking forward to the last quarter of the year!
Stay safe Suga Bears!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Sunday’s cool, breezy afternoon was perfect for savoury bites and bubbly to celebrate International Women’s Day and contribute to the Canadian Women’s Club of Jamaica’s outreach projects.
Harbour Wines and Spirits and Select Brands provided ideal pairings for offerings from EITS Café, Tea Tree Creperie, Raffaele’s Gourmet Pizzeria, Fromage, Chez Maria, Uncorked, Cannonball Café and Chocolate Dreams.
Everything was delightful but of course there were a few standouts.Â
EITS Café
It’s always a pleasure to be around Robyn Fox and her hospitable team from EITS Café. Their Black Olive Bammy Bruschetta with Feta Cheese, Red Onion and Caramelized Onions was quite appetizing while paired with one of my fave’s, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling provided by Select Brands. Its apricot, white peach, honeysuckle aromas balanced out the sharpness of the Feta.
Fromage
Fromage’s Oxtail Arancini Balls were divine with Harbour Wines’ Ménage à Trois Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon. That wine was unforgettable from the Table Talk Observer Food Awards last year.
Then their Chèvre Canapés with fig glazed walnuts paired with Rosé was such a treat. The light, fluffy texture with the touch of sweet was perfection.
Kudos to Lisa Chin and her team. #SugaSnaps
Chez Maria
Chez Maria’s Vegetarian Pumpkin Kibbeh Cups with hummus on top was both healthy and scrumptious. The winner for seconds if watching your calories. They were paired with Select Brands’ Primal Roots California Red.
Guess who’s going into Catering? – Cannonball Café
Cannonball’s Antipasto Skewer with Lomo, Olive, Tomato, Mozzarella and Mushroom Tortelini was a myriad of flavours that balanced each other well and even further with Harbour Wines’ Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chocolate Dreams
You have to top off the evening with some sweet! I didn’t mind the spicy either. Chocolate Dreams outdid themselves with their Scotch Bonnet Caramel Fudge and Pistacio Chocolate Bites. Their entire spread was worth the calories. If you like sweet wines, the Roscato Sweet Red courtesy of Harbour Wines was a great choice.
Great evening filled with Vino, Savoury bites and Beautiful Women. Value for money with Proceeds to a great cause. Well done Canadian Women’s Club of Jamaica. #SugaEndorsed
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
If you can still get tickets, go get them at the restaurants mentioned on the flyer. 17 mile post/EITS Cafe will also deliver to you.
So many great restaurants/cafes in one place to pair the wines, cheeses and chocolates we love all for a good cause, driven by the Canadian Women’s Club of Jamaica.
Celebrate International Women’s Day, contribute to Charity and enjoy what is lined up to be a memorable culinary experience. It’s a triple win, but earn your carbs 🙂
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
TGIF and #fbf to part of Suga’s Valentine’s haul from Simo’s Bread and Catering last Friday at the Valentine’s Pop Up at Wrightlife Live Food Eatery located at the Kiosks in Devon House, Kingston.
Gourmet Pastries from Simos are ALWAYS worth the calories. I was in Pastry heaven. #SugaSnaps #SugaEndorsed
Christina M.B. Simonitsch
Location: Montego Bay
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @simosbreadandcatering
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Belgian capital hosted it’s 7th edition of Salon du Chocolat last weekend from February 14th to 16th, celebrating Chocolate in all its shapes and forms.
4 of our local Bean-to-Bar Chocolatiers, Wouter Tjeerte of Pure Chocolate Company, Carl Sharpe of Chocollor Chocolate, Nadine Burie of Likkle More Chocolate and Nick Davis of One One Cacao were a few of the 100 participants that took part in the 3-Day event at Tour & Taxis. Amongst them were other Chocolatiers, Bean-to-Bar specialists, Confectioners, Pastry chefs and cocoa-producing countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith along with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the EU, Sheila Sealey Monteith accompanied our Chocolatiers to give them support.
Visitors enjoyed pastry-making lessons, recipe demonstrations by top chefs and chocolate masters, tasting sessions and a Chocolate Fashion show!
Our Chocolatiers did not only bring our Bean-to Bar Chocolate to Brussels, but they did well. Likkle More Chocolate and Pure Chocolate Company completely sold out and Nick Davis’s One One Cacao will now be available in Europe from Bean to Bar! They offer Chocolates from around the world and will have One One Cacao’s St. Thomas Coconut Milk and Clarendon Bars available for a limited time.
Congratulations to all our Local Chocolatiers that brought Jamaican Chocolate to Europe. We are proud of you and appreciate you. One Love.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga Lifestyle is excited to bring back Brand Jamaica to you for Valentine’s Day gifts or to shop and just treat yourself. The year has gotten off to a quick start and you deserve this!
Save the Date for Suga Lifestyle’s V-Day Pop Up Shop on Saturday, February 8th at The Jamaica Pegasus’s Rio Bueno Suite from 12 noon to 7 pm.
Suga Lifestyle’s Charity Showcase
Most importantly, Suga Lifestyle will be showcasing items produced from it’s Charity Art-tivity and Entrepreneurship Project in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of New Kingston. The beneficiary will be The Lister Mair/Gilby High School for the Deaf, to improve the students’ educational resources and the school’s infrastructure. This project will also create awareness about the accomplishments and needs of the school and the deaf/hard of hearing community. The children’s jewellery making, painting and tie-dye activities will represent Rotaract’s theme “Impact
Through Unity”.
Suga Artisans
Suga has an eye for local talent and loves to expose you to new Brand Jamaican products and artisans. Suga Lifestyle will be debuting Craving Scoops, a Non-dairy Ice Cream company that uses our local Chocollor Chocolate. Chocollor was at the Christmas show and will be back!
Suga is also shaking up things with a different handmade Jewellery artisan and will be featuring Beauty and the Beads Ja! So happy to have them! They will have handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings, including arm candy for the special men in our lives!
Suga Artisan faves, Mira Botanicals (Body Oils, Soaps, Scrubs and more) and Najwa’s Garden with the most adorable small plants and succulents will be there!
Stay tuned to see who else will be there and follow the progress of the Art-tivity project that starts this Saturday!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Need to indulge in a juicy Ribeye Steak before the New Year? Chef Alex D-Great has left Steak House on the Verandah in Devon House, but not to worry, Chef Jermaine Erskine and his team of two other Chefs have taken over in fine fashion.
I was a bit worried since I was treating my husband for his Birthday dinner on December 3rd, but I had friends who had gone recently and said the standard was still high. I am in total agreement. Service was commendable, the Ribeye that we shared was cooked to order, medium rare perfection and our sautéed Escargot starter in pesto cream and a puff pastry shell was delicious as well.
The pocket may have to run a bit deep for your visit, but you get value for your money. #SugaEndorsed
Steak House on the Verandah
***Reservations Recommended***
Location: Devon House
Ph: 876-616-8833
Facebook: @steakhouseja
Instagram: @thesteakhouseja
Opening Hours:
Mon. to Sat. @ 12 noon – 9:30 pm
***Closed on Sundays***Â
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson’s Rating for Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove
Date and time of visit: November 17, 2019
No. of diners: 4
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximumÂ
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★★
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★
Suga Taster, Taraja’s Breakdown!
Christopher’s at Hermosa’a Cove was the perfect Sunday evening setting. Tucked away on the beautiful beachfront property at Hermosa Cove, the restaurant overlooks the sea for a casual, yet intimate dining experience.
The menu was diverse with a sample of Jamaica’s unique fusion of European, Asian, and Indian flavours with local favorites, braised Oxtail, steamed Callaloo with Scotch bonnet peppers, and of course, jerked Chicken. However, Executive Chef Conroy Arnold decided to tantalize our taste buds with a selection of some of his signature dishes for a unique culinary experience. Our Chef’s special dishes consisted of six courses totalling $7000JMD each and included Red Peas soup, a delicious Salad with tomato, feta cheese and arugula topped off with a honey mustard vinaigrette. We also had a Shrimp alfredo puff pastry, Mahi-Mahi in eggplant sauce, Beef tenderloin with grilled sweet corn and for dessert we had Crème brûlée and a Banana flambé.
There were no delays during the courses, however it was a quiet night, which allowed for personalized, attentive treatment. Chef Arnold did an excellent job showcasing his talent and the group was extremely satisfied and pleased with the service.
Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove continues to be #SugaEndorsed !
Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove
Location: Hermosa Lane, Pineapple Hermosa Cove, Villa Resort & Suites, Ocho Rios
Ph: 876-974-3699
Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess
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HAPPY MONDAY and CONGRATS to this sweet little girl who received a 2lb Fruit Cake Prize on behalf of her family from Suga Lifestyle courtesy of Sweet Obsession Ja!
Sophia Baronette Watts of Sweet Obsession Ja bakes it just like Mom or how you like it. This little winner’s mother had no plans to bake this year. No worries, Suga got them!
Just 2 days to Christmas! Continue to enjoy the season!
Sweet Obsession Ja
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @sweetobsessonja
Ph: 876-859-4015; 876-383-9532
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
An intimate setting was created last Friday night on the rooftop of 20 South Luxury Apartments for Chef Garfield Jr.’s sold out Popup Kitchen by the exclusive, Sip and Savour on the 7th floor.
Just 2 weeks after Chef Garfield pleased the crowd at Jamaica Food and Drink Festival’s Picanté with his Candied Mango Tamarind Pork, Scotch Bonnet Caramelized Onions and wild garlic challah, Suga was excited to see what he had to offer.
I sat at Table 5 with my husband, Randy and our server was quite attentive and pleasant, ensuring that wines courtesy of CPJ kept flowing throughout the night.
I ordered The Salmon and Randy went for The Oxtail. Then we eagerly watched Chef Garfield Jr and his team prepare our dinner right in front of us, with the ambience of light music in the background and the view of city lights.
We didn’t have to wait long before two well plated dishes arrived at our table.
The Oxtail was tender to the bone and tantalized the tastebuds with the local spices and flavours. The serving size was quite small, but ask and you shall receive because when Chef Garfield took a walk around to greet guests and gather feedback, he ensured extra Oxtail was brought to our table.
I was quite satisfied with my Salmon dish though. Decent portions, well cooked Salmon with a delicious crust on top.
Chef Garfield’s PopUp Kitchen is certainly #SugaEndorsed and another one is quickly approaching. So stay tuned to his instagram page, @chefgarfieldjr as well as Sip & Savour, @sipandsavourja (Ph: 876-665-0231).
By: Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.