GCG Events Launches ReadiGourmet, their Gourmet Meals for Lunch or Dinner Delivered to You!

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Tired of Cooking? GCG Events is navigating their way out of Covid 19 with ReadiGourmet, offering you their Gourmet, restaurant quality meals for Lunch or Dinner, at home or the office! They will be sharing the full Menu and prices soon, but Suga can give you a sneak peek from my taster.

You can start things off with their delish Caesar Salad with Shrimp, topped with Croutons and Parmesan Cheese that will be available in various sizes, 8 oz, 12 oz and 24 oz.

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Parmesan cheese is one of my faves and healthier. I really appreciated having it in my salad versus a fatty, cliché cheddar. Of course, if you want to go completely healthy, you can have Jerked Chicken instead of the shrimps, which are high in cholesterol. Other options for Salads will also be available.

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I then had Grilled Chicken Breast topped with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce served with rice and peas and fresh sauteed garden vegetables.

They did well with the Chicken breast. It wasn’t dry, even when reheated in the oven following their given instructions. It was well seasoned and flavourful with the sauce. Other side options such as mashed potato, white rice, black bean rice and almond rice should be available.

Grilled Filet of Salmon, Pan seared Snapper Filet, Beef Filet, Sandwiches and Dessert Options will be available too!

I finished things off with some of their tasty Fresh Fruit Salad. 

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Keep up with GCG Events and try ReadiGourmet! They are in Kingston and Montego Bay. Their food and service is Simply Outstanding and never disappoints. 

GCG Events

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Location: Norman Manley Int’l Airport. Kingston, Jamaica

Ph: (876) 924-8364

Website: http://www.gcg-events.com

Facebook: GCG Events

Instagram: @gcg_events

By: Gabrielle Burgess (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.

Suga’s Highlights from the 21st Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards!

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Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle with husband, Randy Burgess at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday, May 30, 2019.

The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.

All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.

We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.

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One of the salivating Sushi spreads from Rainforest Seafoods.

We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!

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Cumin and Honey marinated Lamb Chops from Sandals Resorts International.

They also had a gigantic Sushi spread.

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As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.

Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.

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Lisa and Chris Binns of Stush in the Bush who walked away with 3 awards including the coveted, ‘Jamaican Restaurant with Outstanding Gastronomy Experience Award’.

Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.

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Christina Simonitsch serving Randy Burgess some of her Charred Scotchie Shrimps.

Other Highlights of the night:

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Outstanding Caterer Nominee and Jing Shi Award Nominee for Dessert Chef of the Year, Trevanne Donegal, also by the G.H. Mumm booth, with delish Dark Chocolate Truffles.
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Uncorked’s Charcuterie and Cheese platter spread!
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The Solomon Gardner Awardee for Outstanding Service, Best Culinary Team Experience Awardee and Norma Shirley Awardee for Restaurant of the Year, Sugar Mill Restaurant at Half Moon Hotel’s succulent Barbeque Jerk Pork Belly!

Did you know?

Half Moon will be opening a Seafood Restaurant this September!

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Half Moon’s Seafood Restaurant, Delmare’s Chefs Claudio and Clarfield

A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.

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Delmare at Half Moon’s Pan Seared Scallops
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GCG Event’s surprise Cocktails, divine and spicy Jackfruit Crème Brûlée. They had delightful Beetroot Banana and Chilli marinated Shrimps on pickled green papaya too!
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Newbies on the block and Best Food Product 2019 Nominee, Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead Cheese Platter Displays! My tasting plate was quite appetizing.
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Sweet Obsession Ja’s White Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries by the Johnnie Walker booth!
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Just a touch of the mouth-watering Desserts at Future Bakery by Jing Shi’s booth!

Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings

Grace Kennedy’s Harbour Wines and Spirits also impressed with their Ménage à Trois selection of Wines and more.

You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.

This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of the Communities that were selected and awarded:

• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas
• Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary
• The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay
• Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary
• Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann

Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.

Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.

Cheers to next year!

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! How Fun was the Jamaica Observer Food Awards Last Night?!

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Gabby Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle at The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards last night at The Devon House.

TGIF! How fun was the Jamaica Observer Food Awards last night?!

I don’t think many persons found the GCG Events booth around the back, but their surprise cocktails handed to you were one of the highlights to my night. Not to mention their spicy JACKFRUIT CRÈME BRÛLÉE! 😍 Stay tuned and follow Suga Lifestyle for more OFA highlights!

Enjoy the weekend!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

GW Art adds Vintage-rustic touch to Destination Wedding

A bit over a month ago, GW Art added some fine details to The Crofts’ Vintage-rustic, Destination Wedding at Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay.

GW Art’s wooden and chalkboard signs, decorative mason jars and bottles, spray painted frame signs, burlap signs and an Etsy-inspired kiddies activity books were all a part of The Croft’s Wedding décor.

The Wedding was Pinterest inspired and GW Art delivered the Bride’s vision by collaborating with Tai Flora Luxe (Flowers, Rentals and Décor), GCG Events (Caterers), Simos Bread and Catering (Cronuts) and Leanne Cooke (Baker – Wedding Cake).

Take a look at how GW Art helped to make this Pinterest-Inspired Vintage-rustic Destination Wedding a dream come true!

Entrance Signage and Décor by GW Art

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Pallet Art Sourced by GCG Events

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Wooded signs, Decorative bottles and Frames by GW Art

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Kerryanne and James Croft at their Head table on their Wedding Day, May 5, 2018 at Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay

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Guest tables adorned with a Garland and table settings provided by Tai Flora Luxe, Glassware and Flatware by GCG Events and the items to enhance the Garland such as Dried coconuts, LED votive candles and Framed table names provided by GW Art

Chalkboard Easel Signs and Decorative Mason Jars by GW Art

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Chef Daniel Schweizer and a member of his staff at the Bar

Kid’s Table with Etsy-Inspired Kiddies Activity Books by GW Art

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The Cake Table transformed into the Dessert Table

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2-tiered Nude Cake by Leanne Cooke
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The Croft’s Wedding Cake surrounded by Mini-Cronuts from Simos Bread and Catering

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Get GW Art at your event today!

GW Art

Email: [email protected]

Ph: 876-422-3769

Website (Gallery): 

http://www.sugalifestyle.com 

Instagram: @gwartbygabby

Facebook: Suga Lifestyle

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Artist)

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

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Only a few Days left to Enter GCG Events’ Wedding Promotion!

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GCG Events’ Wedding Promotion ends October 31st! Do not miss out on Catering that is Simply Outstanding with discounts from other Vendors such as Blaktie Entertainment Jamaica, Sean Murray Photography, Taylor’d Events’ Decor and Concierge Jamaica’s Wedding Planning Services.

Remember if you plan on getting married in Jamaica between November 2017 and June 2018 with 80 or more guests and you haven’t booked with GCG yet, you Qualify!

See How to Enter your Video, Who to Tag and Ensure you Share! Check out all the details from a previous post here!

A CHANCE TO SAVE ON YOUR WEDDING THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!

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Have you been attending a lot of Wedding Expos, making a lot of phone calls for advice and quotes lately and/or having various consultations with Wedding Vendors in preparation for your Big Day? If so, this Wedding Promotion is for you.

When you feel the pressure of planning a Wedding, GCG Events Jamaica takes many items off your to-do list and makes them seem hassle-free. Suga had this experience with GCG catering for her Wedding. We all know my demands would be specific and expectations would have been high and they delivered flawlessly last April 2016. Kudos to GCG!

GCG not only caters for Weddings but for Corporate and Social events as well. For the complete package that they offer, for instance if you also require their Bar Services, they provide all the necessary glassware, ice, flatware, cutlery, disposables and service staff for an unbeatable price. Not to mention that they come fully equipped with their cooling trucks, electricity and more.

When booking with GCG, it is likely that you would communicate with Jasmin Ramsay or Cheridah Douglas who are the epitome of quick, efficient communication, quality service and the ability to deduce the needs of their customers, often without even having to ask.

The Chefs and Waiting Staff are personable, pleasant and conduct live cooking stations with delicious dishes. I highly recommend their Carving station. They do a tender, fresh, succulent Beef Tenderloin cut to perfection.

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GCG Event’s Beef Tenderloin

They also do a scrumptious Cheesecake and the list goes on. I haven’t had a disappointing dish from them to date.

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GCG Events’ Cheesecake

GCG usually makes the effort to have their Presentation suit your theme as well. Check out this Presentation to go with a Rustic theme:

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Do you want the Catering and Bar service at your Wedding to be Simply Outstanding?

Enter GCG Events Jamaica’s “The Day We Met” Wedding Promotion for the chance to be one of three lucky couples to win Simply Outstanding Savings for your Jamaican Wedding!

They will be teaming up with other reputable Wedding Vendors, offering discounts for Music and Equipment, Photography, Decor and Wedding Planning Services.

***Conditions apply. So see the Prize Details, Rules and Requirements to enter the Wedding Promotion below:

PRIZE PACKAGE:
● 35%- 45% off GCG Events’ Wedding Catering Package
● 30% off Music and Equipment from Blaktie Entertainment Jamaica (@blaktiejamaica)
● 20% off Sean Murray Photography’s Photography Package (@seanmurrayphotography)
● 25% off Taylor’d Events’ Decor Package (@Taylord.events)
● 30% off Concierge Jamaica’s Wedding Planning Services (@conciergejm)

***CONDITIONS APPLY!***

1. The Competition will run from August 28th – October 31st, 2017 on both Facebook & Instagram, and is open to couples planning on getting married in Jamaica between November 2017 and June 2018 whose minimum guest count is eighty (80).

2. Weddings already booked with GCG Events prior to August 28, 2017 do not qualify for entry. 

3. Top three couples whose post has the most likes win! So there isn’t just 1 winner!

4. Entries close October 31, 2017. Winners will be announced on November 2, 2017!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Post a video on your FB or IG page telling us how you met, the proposed date & venue of your Wedding, your ideal Wedding concept & menu preferences.

2. Be sure to include the following hashtags – #gcgeventswedding #simplyoutstanding #winningwedding

3. Tag: @gcg_events, @blaktiejamaica, @conciergejm, @Taylord.events, and @seanmurrayphotography

4. Share your post with friends! Most likes wins!

*** GCG Events Jamaica reserves the right not to accept or to disqualify any entries if any of the above terms & conditions are not followed correctly***

Let GCG make your Wedding Simply Outstanding! #SugaEndorsed

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GCG Events

Location: Norman Manley Int’l Airport. Kingston, Jamaica

Ph: (876) 924-8364

Website: http://www.gcg-events.com

Facebook: GCG Events

Instagram: @gcg_events

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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The Caterers that will be taking the Jamaican Market by Storm!

Goddard Catering Group also known as GCG Events are THE Caterers to watch! Up to last week Thursday, many did not know who or what was Goddard. How did that change? GCG hosted what I considered as a launch titled, ‘Destination: Delicious!’ last Thursday night at the Ruins, Mona that was Simply Outstanding, fully representing their brand.

Fidelity Motors Ltd. is a part of the Goddard Enterprises Group of Companies and GCG often works together with Tai Flora Luxe. So on the outskirts of the event, a car was on display followed by a beautiful table arrangement and lounge area decorated by Tai Flora.

 

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GCG and Tai Flora pair beautifully together, as GCG not only caters for Corporate and Social events but for Weddings as well. They describe themselves as expensive but based on Suga’s experience with them, I absolutely disagree. For the complete package that they offer, for instance if you also require their Bar Services, they provide all the necessary glassware, ice, flatware, cutlery, disposables and service staff for an unbeatable price. Not to mention that they come fully equipped with their cooling trucks, electricity and more. To add icing to the cake, they are partners with Pop Up Gourmet Jamaica, which means that once you have your Pop Up Gourmet Advantage Card you get a 10% discount. Depending on the size of your event, that could turn out to be up to $30,000 to $50,000 or more off of your bill! My Gosh, where have they been all along? They have been around for many years Suga Bears. After successfully catering for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007, they saw the need to raise the bar on catering services throughout the region, leading to the birth of GCG Events in 2008, an affiliated company of Goddard Catering Group and a member of the Goddard Enterprises Group of Companies. Some persons who know of them may also familiarise them with the airport or airport/airplane food. But when you taste their food, you would have no idea. They are thus familiar with the importance of punctuality as well.

They do a lot of Overseas Weddings and Funerals. Funerals?! Yes, because when persons land at the airport where their office is located, all they have to do is ask for GCG to take care of everything for them and work with their budget stating how much a head they can afford. The headache they thought they would have is usually gone once it reaches into GCG’s hands as they seem to be an excellent team. It is likely that you would communicate with Jasmin Ramsay or Cheridah Douglas who are the epitome of quick, efficient communication, quality service and the ability to deduce the needs of their customers, often without even having to ask.

To the general public, GCG probably started to visually creep into the Events market since the 1st Epicurean Escape in 2012 held at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, close to Ocho Rios, Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The Festival featured some of Jamaica’s finest including Chef Ravi Anne, Chef Dennis McIntosh, Chef Theo Smith, Chef Christopher Evans, many others and most importantly, GCG’s current head Chef, Daniel Schwietzer. Since then they have been taking their time filtering into the Events market even more.

Executive Chef Daniel Schwietzer is Swiss and discovered his love for cooking from his Uncle who had a restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland. He knew very quickly from then that he wanted to be a Chef. He traveled across Switzerland where he learnt French and Italian cuisines, Los Angeles, California and then finally to Jamaica 25 years ago! He has served in the capacity of Executive Chef at Morgan’s Harbor Hotel, Temple Hall Estate, Plantation Inn and for the past 19 years, Goddard Catering Group Jamaica Ltd.

So what did Chef Schwietzer and the other Chefs as well as Bartenders have to offer at Destination: Delicious held last Thursday? It was quite a spread. Suga arrived at about 7:45pm. The event was slated to be from 6:30pm to 10pm so I arrived when things were about to be in full swing. Invited Guests were greeted with Sangria and I was just in time to hear Chef Schwietzer be introduced and have him take us through all the stations where he was sure to display his passion of fusing Caribbean and European cuisines.

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The Cocktail station had Roasted Tuna with balsamic glaze drizzled over micro greens, Bruschetta with jerked cream cheese, escellion and wine, Rice noodles with Salmon, usually paired well with white wine and Ceviche drizzled with lime juice and some country pepper. The Ceviche and Tuna Appetizers impressed Suga.

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The Soup station had Red peas, Manish water and Pumpkin soup with Spicy Banana Bread croutons that enhanced the flavour. All were tasty, but the Manish water was the hit for the night.

There was a Salad station to top off wetting the appetite. I loved the general use of fresh micro greens as I am in total support of the local farm to table concept.

Then for the meat lovers, the Beef and Pork station were kicking where the mango salsa complemented the Beef Tenderloin well and the coffee rubbed and chocolate infused methods were a delightful enhancement in flavour.

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The Flat Bread station had THE most toppings including pesto, smoked marlin, fresh mozzarella and mushrooms, basil, micro greens, you name it!

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There was a live cooking, Pasta station with Seafood pasta and a Dessert station where for Suga, the highlight was the Apple crumble. It was delicious.

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Wines, Cocktails and Premium Spirits galore were offered.

The most outstanding for Suga was the tender, fresh, succulent cut of Beef! Perfection.

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The Chefs were personable and pleasant, especially the men who had a charming flair to their service. Well done Goddard. Well done.

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Executive Chef Daniel Schwietzer and Gabrielle Williams from Suga Lifestyle

I thoroughly enjoyed the night and expected nothing less. It was evident that persons were pleasantly surprised, impressed and pleased with the high standard and quality of service, food and drinks that GCG presented. A lot of power players in the Events industry were present and I am sure they will be key to future events and persons that GCG will cater to.

There is currently a breakdown across the service industry, Wedding vendors in particular, with regards to efficient communication such as getting quotes to customers in a timely fashion, following up with customers etc., but GCG is coming full force now and they will be at Dîner en Blanc this Saturday and other events to come. You won’t have to look out for them too hard because they will be Simply Outstanding!

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Gabby from Suga and her fiancé, Randy Burgess enjoy their Goodie bags from GCG

GCG Events

Norman Manley Int’l Airport

Kingston, Jamaica

Ph: (876) 924-8364

www.gcg-events.com