Delicious Mini Cronuts, Pastries, Sauces and more from Simo's Bread and Catering at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday.

Family, Friends & Foodies Unite for the Love of Food at Kingston Kitchen!

by Brand JamaicaChefs, Bakers and CaterersFoodpornGW ArtRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Kingston Kitchen had Hope Gardens buzzing with activity last Saturday. It was a great event for family, friends and foodies to unite for the love of food.

The event was well supported, probably the biggest staging I’ve ever seen. The logistics and execution of the event was quite commendable.

Just a few drawbacks for me. One bar was not enough for the event and amount of patrons. It was overcrowded to say the least.

I also believe that our Gastronomy network via the Tourism Industry should have been involved with the event to incorporate tourists from various hotels on the north coast of the island. Kingston Kitchen’s Night Market would have been an eye-opening experience for them to see so much of our culture in one area and in one night. The event would also expose them to Kingston, as many tourists are unaware of the many cultural activities, beauty and places to go that exist in Kingston. For the next Kingston Kitchen, I would like to see them in bus loads!

There were so many vendors to pick, choose and refuse from, Suga and husband went with a hit list.

Here is a reminder of what Kingston Kitchen had to offer in addition to entertainment for adults and kids:

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I am proud to say my husband, Randy and I succeeded. We definitely took note of places to try in the near future as well.

Suga’s Breakdown!

MUST-STOPS AND GLAD BAG BUSS

● Stush in the Bush – A variety of unique Sauces, Spreads and Preserves made with love. Always a crowd pleaser.

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Lisa and Chris Binns doing what they do best at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday, July 7, 2018.

● Lucky Strike Seafood Bar and Grill – Their Seafood bowl is always a hit. My husband approves!

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Randy Burgess and wife, Suga a.k.a Gabby from Suga Lifestyle at Kitchen last Saturday

● Street Food Saturdays – Fresh mint Lemonade, Street corn and more. They kept patrons coming all night!

● Fish Pot – Flavourful, peppery Fish soup. Great gas buster to prep for food galore.

●Simo’s Bread and Catering – Pastries, Soursop Popsicles, Dessert, Sauces, Seasonings. Excellent spread as usual from the main hands of it all, Christina Simonitsch.

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Delicious Mini Cronuts, Pastries, Sauces and more from Simo’s Bread and Catering at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday.

● I Love Paella – Rich, flavourful Tapas! From Valencia with love. Bravas, Croquetas and Empañadas cooked right in front of you.

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● Scott van Bonnet - New kid on the block from Blue Diamond Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. They had tasty Turkey and Lamb Wraps. Loved the infused flavours.

Coming soon to Kingston, Ocho Rios and Negril. Can’t wait!

● Topp In Designz Limited – Foodie Gear galore!

Suga had to cop this shirt!

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DISAPPOINTMENTS

● Gypsy House Tapas!

I have never thrown away food at Kingston Kitchen, but there is always a first. Trust me, I tried my best to eat their Seafood and Meat stacked Paella, but I just couldn’t get past the dry rice that nearly choked me and lack of flavour. It was horrible. Chef Enric’s, I Love Paella still stands as the place to go for authentic Valencian Paella.

● Soup King

They didn’t have any Soup for over an hour after the start time of the event. They seemed to have gotten things going later on in the night though.

SATISFYING STOPS #SugaSnaps

● Lyming at Walkerswood – Mannish water, Curried Goat and more. Jamaican cooked food that goes right to the heart and makes you feel at home.

● NCR Sheep Limited – Tasty Lamb sausage.

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● Rolly Polly – Ice cream for adults and kids. I enjoyed my topping of Bailey’s rum cream on my Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream. Delish!

PLEASANT SURPRISES

Gustazos Booth 

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Suga had a ball in the Money Machine to grab as much cash as possible in a short period of time to go towards her Gustazos Account credit.

Patrons enjoyed their small giveaways, boomerang photo booth and money machine! Fun addition to the event.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES #SugaSpieswithHer4Eyes

> Fromage Bistro and Brasserie, Cafe Dolce, Pita Grill, Deaf Can! Coffee, Chocolate Dreams, Until We Eat Again, Cannonball Cafe, Pink Apron Jamaica, Tea Tree Créperie and Sip ‘n’ Go Juice Bar.

Suga didn’t get to stop by the usual crowd faves mentioned above, but I could see that they continued to please!

PLACES TO EXPERIENCE IN THE NEAR FUTURE #SugasRadar

> Eatopia Jamaica, WTF Burgers and 25 Wafflerie

Kudos to Director Leisha Wong, Melanie Miller and their team for their hard work, efforts and a well executed Foodie affair. #SugaEndorsed

Until the next one!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami!

by CharitiesFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

South Beach is where it all went down for Foodies and Wine enthusiasts last weekend at the 17th annual Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)!

It was a 5-day destination event in Miami from February 21-25, showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits’ producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Emeril and more were there!

The Festival had many high-end events, including elaborate dinners and brunches, but also had events that costed less than $100US to attend. Whichever patrons chose, it definitely looked like value for money. The Festival is also for a good cause, as it benefits the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

Over 1000 students get the opportunity to work at the Festival each year and the experience they gain is invaluable for their future in the hospitality field.

To date, the Festival has raised more than $26 million US for the School.

Let me show you a few of Suga’s favourite teasers that should have been palate pleasers. You can also note the Restaurants responsible to pay them a visit soon in Miami!

Ceviche Ceviche Ceviche!

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Agung Miami Beach’s Ceviche! (Photo: Agung Miami Beach)

Sushi like you’ve never seen it before!

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Omakase Plate from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill (Instagram Photo: @jasoneats)

A mountain of Tuna Tatake!

Tuna Tataki is a lightly seared yellowfin or ahi tuna that is served rare with a citrus based soy sauce.

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Tuna Tatake from Moshi Moshi Japanese in Miami, Florida (Instagram Photo: @goodeatsmeets)

How about some aged Ribeye on a skewer?!

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Aged Ribeye with spicy Garlic sauce from Byblos Miami Mediterranean Restaurant (Photo: @jasoneats)

Topping things off with Dessert! 

There were cascading doughnuts, gelato in probably every flavour and more at SOBEWFF.

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Honeybee Doughnuts Miami at the Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood, part of the NY Times Cooking series at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Photo: Honeybee Doughnuts Miami)

Suga’s friends and others that went to the Festival said there was every kind of food and wine you could think of, an absolutely gastronomical, star-studded, international event.

If you missed the Festival this year like myself, you should definitely put it on your calendar for 2019!

 

The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Eat. Drink. Educate

Website: www.sobewff.org

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @sobewffest 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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