Jamaica Food and Drink Festival is Back! Save the Dates!

20190916_043201.png

The Caribbean’s No. 1 Urban Food Festival with over 70 Chefs starts Saturday, October 26! With Restaurant Week afterwards, plan your gym days to earn your carbs NOW!

Save the dates and look into securing your tickets! Season bands are on sale this year too. Note that the Season band includes Pork Palooza, Chopstix, Crisp, Picante and Meet Street.

20190916_043236.png

All days should be a treat. If you must choose, stay tuned to your favourite Chefs and Restaurants’ social media pages and see where they will be.

The website,  http://www.jafoodanddrink.com may feature them soon and tickets are on sale now on the website.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Save the Date Foodies!

20181004_053808.jpg

The Caribbean’s No. 1 Urban Food Festival starts Saturday, October 20! 

Save the dates and look into securing your tickets! Season bands are on sale this year too.

All days should be a treat. If you must choose, stay tuned to your favourite Chefs and Restaurants’ social media pages and see where they will be.

The website,  http://www.jafoodanddrink.com may feature them soon and tickets are on sale now on the website.

Here are your JFDF Ticket Ambassadors and Outlets:

20181004_013121.jpg

Did you know?!

> This year, JFDF will be 100% plastic free!

> Part Proceeds of the event will go towards UTECH’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Hotel Facility

The Festival will sponsor the complete outfitting of UTECH’s demo kitchen.

Enjoy 7 World Class Food Events at 7 Iconic Kingston Venues.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

IMG-20171030-WA0001-1

The Other JFDF Events and Suga’s Epicurean & Delectable Choices for Restaurant Week!

Suga brought you the low down for Crisp at The Gardens, Jamaica Pegasus ($5000 All Inclusive) and Picante ($7500 All Inclusive) at The Ruins, UWI Mona’s Visitor’s Lodge, so how were the other JFDF events? Suga Bears and Suga Daddies reported!

Most persons like to get bad news out of the way first. The events with the highest price tags were not that impressive for some patrons. That is, Vintage for $12000JMD all-inclusive and Brunch at the Gallery for $20000JMD/$150USD all-inclusive.

Vintage 

Meals at Vintage at the Manor in Jack’s Hill were described as basic and a low standard for Ortanique on the Mile, one of the restaurants in Florida that was represented by Owner Cynthia Hutson. Suga Bears enjoyed the view and Dessert though.

Brunch at the Gallery

Brunch at the National Gallery, Downtown Kingston presented by Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau was decorated beautifully by Tai Flora and had a sufficient selection of Wines by Select Brands, but the service of food was slow and it arrived to tables cold. The Brunch was from 11am to 4pm and after a long day, patrons were leaving at 4pm and Dessert was just being served. Should the blame go on the Event Planner, the Chefs or both? It was stated that the execution was poor.

The Menu

IMG-20171030-WA0001-1
The Menu for Brunch at the Gallery (Photo Contributed)

The Presentation of some of the meals were also quite sloppy to say the least.

IMG-20171030-WA0005
Vegetables and Greens served at Brunch at the Gallery last Sunday (Photo Contributed)

Did the Incredible Hulk have an accident here?! I was in disbelief and gathered that this was the consensus amongst most tables. This looked nothing like the neatly displayed dish on the Event’s social media page. Cold food, slow service and poor, unappetizing presentation is unacceptable for $20,000JMD. I believe things can be shaken up next year. There are so many other talented, efficient Chefs around and I understand the ambience of The National Gallery, but a change in venue could be considered as well.

IMG-20171030-WA0004
Chargrilled Rack of Lamb Presented to a table at Brunch at the Gallery last Sunday (Photo Contributed)

Kudus to award-winning baker, Nadine Burie that probably saved both events. Her desserts are offered at Cafe Blue.

Screenshot_2017-10-31-16-07-43-1
Fresh Fruit Pavlova by Nadine Burie (Photo Credit: @jafoodanddrink)

Setting bad news aside, persons fully enjoyed Meet Street and the Market in Downtown, Kingston ($500JMD entry) last Saturday. A patron said she did not know that Downtown could be so nice. The set up and atmosphere was phenomenal and the vendors outdid themselves.

Screenshot_2017-11-02-16-24-35-1
Vendors that pleased at Meet Street and the Market Last Saturday in Downtown, Kingston

Pork Palooza ($6500JMD All Inclusive) at Palm Drive, Hope Gardens that kicked things off for the festival on the Saturday the week before was a hit. The event is usually the favourite for Patrons. Jamaicans love their Pork! It wasn’t the unanimous favourite this year though.

Which event took JFDF 2017?!

Close call! It has been narrowed down to the new event, Chop Stix ($5000JMD All Inclusive) held at Zen Lawn, Hope Zoo last Wednesday that featured fare from the far East and the zesty, Picante!

Based on Food, Weather and Vibe, Chop Stix gets the edge. Picante had the on and off rain, which was uncontrollable with provisions put in place, but Jamaicans love a new event.

The Chefs, Caterers and Restaurants delivered at Chop Stix! Here was the Menu if you missed it. Chop Stix can’t be missed next year!

Screenshot_2017-11-02-16-25-31-1.png

Screenshot_2017-11-02-16-25-28-1.png

Screenshot_2017-11-02-16-25-26-1.png

So what’s next for my Foodies? Restaurant Week!

IMG_20170823_085515

Yes, I know Restaurant Week has lost its steam. Marketing has been ongoing but should be revised, including the selection of Ambassadors. JFDF being so close to Restaurant Week definitely overshadowed it.

Menus for Restaurants are more of the same, but it makes your choices that much easier. The good ones will pop out at you. So that means you may need to make reservations quickly or maybe not, because places I called yesterday that are normally booked out weeks in advance seemed to have quite a bit of space left.

For now, I am leaving you with my recommendations for the Epicurean and Delectable Categories. Here you go!

Epicurean ($4300 +tax +gratuity +beverages)

> The Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston.

Despite inconsistencies in service and quality throughout the year, they have managed to keep a good reputation for Restaurant Week so far.

Sidenote: I do not think any Restaurant in Market Place should be placed in the Epicurean Category. The venue is far too casual and a long wait is usually expected.

Out of town? Marguerites by the Sea, Montego Bay. You should expect a spectacular dinner and service with a seaside or picturesque garden view.

There are some other reputable Restaurants listed, but the lack of creativity with their Menus were the deal breakers.

Delectable ($3800JMD +GCT +gratuity +beverages)

> Fromage Bistro on Hillcrest Avenue in Kingston.

Nirvanna Indian Cuisine, Centro-Courtyard by the Marriott and Black Orchid Restaurant at Eden Gardens would be secondary choices.

In the other city? Both options from Mobay are primary choices – Mystic Thai and The Houseboat Grill. So persons can choose between the two based on the Cuisine desired.

***Stay tuned for more Restaurant Week choices from Suga Lifestyle.***

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

PhotoGrid_1508347360425.png

Do you have your Tickets for Jamaica Food & Drink Festival?!

The Caribbean’s No. 1 Urban Food Festival starts this Saturday!

All days should be a treat. If you must choose, check out where your favourite Chefs and Restaurants will be on www.jafoodanddrink.com. Picante and Crisp are stacked with Suga’s faves.

Hope you have secured your tickets! If not, here is the information you need:

PhotoGrid_1508347360425.png
Schedule, Venues and Costs for Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF)
Screenshot_2017-10-18-12-13-03-1
JFDF Ambassadors on Instagram and JFDF Ticket Outlets

Enjoy 7 World Class Food Events at 7 Iconic Kingston Venues.

Screenshot_2017-10-18-12-59-57-1
Executive Chef Mark Cole from The Jamaica Pegasus that cooked divine dishes for President Barack Obama, Prince Harry and Princess Ann – CRISP!

There was a Sneak Taste on Tuesday at The Steak House on the Verandah, Devon House which had its opening last Sunday. Check out a few of the highlights!

Screenshot_2017-10-18-12-14-21-1
Bar B Que Pig Tails served with a Ginger Mango glaze on a Bammy Crisp topped with Crumbled Bacon by Chef Débè-Ann Lange-Chen of Cutting Edge Gourmet- PORK PALOOZA!
Screenshot_2017-10-18-11-19-55-1
A thrilling Five spiced Baked Salmon Fillet with a Sesame Chill Glaze from Chef Evrol Ebanks of Rainforest Seafoods – CHOPSTIX!
Screenshot_2017-10-18-11-19-28-1
Colin Hylton’s Malaysian Spiced Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mahogany Glaze, Toasted Shaved Coconut and Sushi Rice Balls – PICANTE!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.