See the exclusive video by The Jamaica Observer here on what President Barack Obama ate at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Word is he cleaned his plate and some of the must eats got crossed off of Suga’s recommended list such as Ackee and Saltfish and Red Stripe beer!
Click on link below:
The Town Hall Meeting staged at the University of the West Indies, Mona last Thursday for the President of the United States, Barack Obama’s visit, yes I said staged, touched on all the topics we needed to hear about and he wished to talk about. It cannot be a coincidence that Gun control, Foreign Direct Investment, Cuba, China, His Presidency, Marijuana etc. were all addressed. I don’t know how they got him to pick the chosen few from the audience to ask those specific questions, but they did and it was well done. He just randomly picked out the President Elect of the Guild? Really? Also, I rate some Jamaicans, but when have we ever ALL sounded so prepared? Anyhow, that’s just Suga’s conspiracy.
Did you see how Obama eloquently answered questions and had the audience fully engaged? Something I wish our current leaders could do, speak well even when prepared and think sharply on their feet, or just think full stop. As Dr. Michael Abrahams said in his article yesterday, he makes you want to listen to every word that comes out of his mouth. I totally agree.
One thing Suga would like to go into is China. Obama stated that, ‘It is great to have China invest and help make our country better but where we need to get concerned with China is when they start using their size and muscles to force countries like us into subordinate positions. If China is investing in our infrastructure, education and our people, welcome them, but it is important to look at what strings may be attached. They were invited to work here, build roads and ship in their workers, but we do not know the conditions behind the contract made with our Government as to how they were brought here and how it will help is in the long run’. Look around, the Chinese no longer need a permit to work in Jamaica. They are coming in droves. No longer opening tuck shops, wholesales or Chinese food places, but fancy restaurants such as Sea Deck. They are all over our streets, no longer humble, some well dressed now, feeling more and more comfortable, most not caring to learn or speak English, bringing their children up in our system. Will they one day rule? Will we become slaves to the Chinese? Look out Jamaica. It definitely is a concern.
Obama certainly had a lot to say, but the most important things that stuck for me were in order for us to become a better country we need our Government to exercise the following:-
â— Transparency
â— Clean up Corruption
â— Have a good Infrastructure
â— Invest in Research, Education, our People and Skilled Workers
Was our Government listening or did his wise words fall on deaf ears? If they do not take heed, we will continue on the very same path, a downward spiral. We must and can do better. Thanks Obama.
1. Cheese Patty
2. Ackee & Saltfish with Fried dumpling
3. Callaloo and Boiled banana
4. A Steamaz (Steamed fish)
5. Oxtail
6. Chippies Banana chips
7. A Bob Marley shot
8. A Red Stripe Beer
9. Some Whites (Wray & Nephew white rum)
10. A slice of Easter Bun and cheese
Have a great trip Obama !
The Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston have a monthly feeding at the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Allman Town. Though a few months ago, Suga is happy to highlight how they started their year under the theme, ‘Relieving World Hunger’, feeding over 100 senior citizens on Sunday, January 25, 2015.
The seniors were treated to a scrumptious, filling meal of Curried Goat, Rice and Peas, Tossed Salad and Fruit juice, topped off by Ice cream and Fruit cake for dessert.
It was also an inspirational day, as members of the St. Matthew’s Anglican Youth Fellowship offered prayers and inspiration via songs to the seniors present.
Items of clothing and shoes were offered to individuals in need as well.
Kudos to the Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston for keeping up such a thoughtful and helpful initiative.
Have a Happy and Holy Easter Everyone!
Taurus Court Restaurant is the Chinese restaurant that recently opened in Musgrave Commercial Centre across from CPJ Market in Courtyard 71.
Suga took take-out last Sunday and thought it was average. Wonton soup was well, Wonton soup ($350JMD). The Satay Shrimp ($2000JMD) was good, while there was nothing special about the Chicken with Black Mushroom ($1400JMD). Prices are similar to other Chinese restaurants around town and the ones quoted do not yet include G.C.T.
The decor was decent and service time was the usual 15 to 20 minutes. However, there was a language barrier. The lady who took the order could hardly speak English, but she was so sweet. Just ensure you point to your dish on the menu. Hopefully they have someone else to take orders over the phone.
Well, at least there is another option around town. Chez Maria is open as well and although their sign has Sunday opening hours, they won’t be open on Sundays until April 12th. Now hurry and open up Tea Tree Creperie. There seems to be a Sushi Bar that may open soon in the plaza too.
Taurus Court Restaurant:
Shop 4, Musgrave Commercial Centre, 80 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 6, JA . Tel. #: 876-978-6818/6180; 876-283-6118 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Delivery Service available Monday to Sunday, 11am-8pm @ Tel. #: 876-374-9903; 876-419-3252; 876-355-7390-1 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat. @11am-10pm; Sun. @11:30am-9:30pm   Â
The Paint Jamaica initiative started in 2014, with the concept of transforming Jamaica’s visual surroundings as a social intervention via art and uplifting messages.
For instance, Paint Jamaica has connected with residents of Parade Gardens to understand their aspirations. Their feedback has been translated into beautiful, insightful murals with a positive impact designed by talented artists from all over Kingston.
Paint Jamaica has now grown into a true community project, engaging volunteers from various backgrounds as well as residents of Parade Gardens.
Paint Jamaica plans to carry the movement islandwide. In recent news, I-Octane should have shot his new music video, ‘Don’t stop di vibe’ on Fleet Street last Sunday. A huge, abandoned warehouse used to be on 41 Fleet Street, which has been transformed into a new street art landmark.
Paint Jamaica can be contacted at [email protected] and feel free to keep up to date by liking their Facebook page, Paint Jamaica.
If you would like to make donations in order to contribute to uplifting inner-city communities through the arts, follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/kbg7rto.
The various murals created by Paint Jamaica have also been framed, Â printed on mugs etc. for sale in their new Paint Jamaica Store at http://tinyurl.com/p9y93cb with all proceeds going towards future Paint Jamaica Projects.
Keep up the good work Paint Jamaica!
I have visited JoJo’s three times in the past month. Definitely not by choice but occasions arose. What can I say? Their menu has expanded! Wow. However, on a full night with live music, expect slow, poor service. Only order things that are on their grill, such as Jerk Chicken and Pork, the fastest of the slowest. That sums up the first visit.
The last two visits had a new but familiar face. Good old Glen that hops around from bar to bar, claiming its when they need service to speed up and improve he is called upon. I can see why, because there is usually a long wait at JoJo’s. Glen is slightly annoying in personality but humorous around the edges, confident and most importantly, usually serves efficiently.Â
The last two visits included a half empty Tuesday night and a fairly full Saturday night with fast service for both nights from Glen and the kitchen. The food? The taste is ever so basic. Nothing special. Go there if you have to or you are just hungry and need some simple grub. What’s up with that Jerk Chicken Pizza?!!! Slices of thick hard dough bread with hardly enough ketchup or sauce, some tasteless cheese and bland chicken. Not even likkle oregano and pepper? Poor.Â
Saltfish Fritters? Ok but too much batter.
Their Gungu Peas soup is nice and filling.Â
The Cook up Saltfish ($350) could be spicier but it is quite tasty.
Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork with fries, rice and peas or sweet potato are usually reasonably tasty as well.
Their Philly Cheese Steak sandwich that has Chicken but not Steak is delicious.
Their prices? With the exception of that horrible excuse of a Pizza for $400JMD, prices are extremely affordable. Makes sense and aligns with the basic quality of food. Hopefully the fast service is maintained.
Grill night has been going on for years at Medusa’s Bar and Grill on Fridays at 96 Hope Road. Always well supported. So if you would like a nice, filling Friday dinner, call them at 876-978-3741 to hold your table. If you are not going right after work, it is best you inform them of what you will be ordering as well because sides go quickly.
It is similar to a Dim Sum where you get papers and tick off what you would like. Ribs, Chicken, Fish and Steak (8oz/10oz) are usually available with various choices of how you would like it cooked along with unlimited sides. Yes, unlimited sides meaning you are not charged for sides! Sides include Potatoes, Mushrooms, Sour cream, Onion, Fries, Corn on the cob and more. Also, imagine, word is they marinate from Monday!
If you did not call in your order you may have a long 35-45 minute wait, so ensure you have some lively company capable of good conversation.
Everything costs under $2000JMD so get going and make your plans tonight for Grill night at Medusa’s tomorrow. Remember seating is limited.
In other parts of Kingston last Saturday, Suga was asked to host NKRC’s Wing Sauce Competition, which is also a fundraiser with proceeds going towards their Community Service Projects. The competition was held at Red Stripe’s playfield on Spanish Town Road. I was amongst great company as Jahson Peart from Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica and Amanda McCreath from Gourmet Jamaica were the other two judges.
There were 9 teams on the day including 6 Rotaract clubs, 2 Rotary Clubs and 1 independent team, all with creative names for their sauces and exciting team names as well.
It was a hot day out but the teams came out with their members and supporters in full force. Well except for one lone ranger from Rotary Club of New Kingston (A Jus Me One). Thankfully he was supported by a few of his club members towards the end of the competition. Teams were observed from start to end.
All teams were asked to highlight 3 ingredients in their sauce, Otaheite Apple, which was the secret ingredient that was revealed to them on the day, as well as the mystery ingredients, Red Stripe Sorrel Beer and Rosemary. Club support, their sales pitch, theme and decor of their booth as well as plating and of course the taste of their wings were all scoring criteria. However even with high scores for all of that, if they failed to highlight the 3 ingredients and show some originality with a great tasting sauce, which carried the majority of the points, they would finish with a very low score.
Teams were also asked to incorporate Yaad Flava sauces that were being promoted that day such as the The Yaad Flava Spicy Ketchup, Pimento BBQ, Molasses and Jamaican Jerk Gourmet Blend sauces. Suga has promoted Yaad Flava on this website before when introduced to them at Sovereign Supermarket, so knew that if not scantily used, they could easily overpower the originality of the teams’ sauces. They have a very strong, sharp flavour and really shouldn’t even be used with anything else. They are great on their own.
All teams showed remarkable effort whether they placed in the top 3 or not.
The Rotaract Club of St. Andrew looked the most professional, all uniformed in team shirts and black aprons with a member who delivered a sales pitch in an all black suit. The taste of their sauce was lovely and it was impressive that the taste aligned with their sales pitch of it being sweet then spicy, which is not easy to pull off.
The Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains did very well across the board, finishing 4th. Their plating was very impressive apart from the overload of Rosemary, sauce was delicious and required ingredients were highlighted.
New Kingston Rotaract Club boasted culinary style, hotel-like plating. THE best plating in the competition, even being presented on different levels.
Tristen, who finished 5th also looked very Professional in Chef jackets and scored high points for use of the main ingredients.
The Rotaract Club of the University of the West Indies Mona, who finished 3rd, had cheerleaders, tonnes of crowd and member support. They had impressive plating, originality and their sauce was delicious.
Interestingly, the sauces from the two Rotary clubs  (Rotary Club of Kingston East and Port Royal and Rotary Club of New Kingston) were the least exciting of the bunch. But it was a fantastic look that they participated with good spirit. They were entertaining, creative with their sales pitch and had a good theme.
Second place winners, Rotaract Club of Kingston aka 50 Shades of K, were quite entertaining and creative. Impressive plating. The best decor. Originality was off the charts and their sauce had a nice, sharp taste with the essence of required ingredients.
That leaves us with the winners. All the other clubs failed to highlight ALL 3 required ingredients effectively. However the Rose Grillaz from the Rotaract Club of University of Technology were the clear winners with their Rosella Soiree sauce. The only team whose sauce actually had the colour of the secret ingredient, Otaheite apple. When asked how they did that. One of their chefs confidently broke down their preparation process starting with how ‘dem draw the apple’, continuing to talk about straining and measuring etc. They clearly had it down to a science. Not surprising right? Because they have a Food Lab and this is their 3rd consecutive year winning. Perhaps it should be called the UTECH Wing Sauce Award of Excellence next year with a member of their Hospitality crew on the judging panel. A team with absolutely poor plating and decor walked away with the trophy. They were confident that they were the sauce boss and their skit with cheerleaders informed us of that. Overwhelming support was there for them as well.
Suga was really impressed with the effort put out by all teams, their competitive nature, their interest to do post mortems and of course originality and creativity of their sauces. Congratulations again to the winners, Rotaract Club of UTECH and hope to see you and more clubs next year!
The big event has come and gone. How was it?! Suga’s sources spared no details. Suga’s prediction came through that a decent evening would subside from a chaotic start. At least one socialite kept it real saying, ‘Rocky start, fantabulous ending’ on her instagram post.
Firstly, we have to talk about the venue, Emancipation Park. The instant reaction of many, including myself was really?! Nowhere better? Disappointing. That scene is part of many Jamaicans’ daily routine during the work or exercise week. So some desire a change of scenery. But, surely the promoters must have put tremendous thought into the venue and that should be respected. So let us think where else in Kingston could be used as a venue that is public and somewhat monumental or historical? There are not many choices. Devon House, Downtown Waterfront and Port Royal have been done. Not to mention the overused Hope Gardens/Hope Zoo. Where does that leave us? The Bob Marley Statue, Ward Theatre or National Heroes Park? Ward Theatre back in its heyday yes, but definitely not now. Eyesore. By the Bob Marley Statue may have required too much work and money. Closest candidate may be National Heroes Park, but Securityyyyyy! Yes. A lot would be required.
So back to Emancipation Park. The use of spectacular lighting had a gorgeous effect. The addition of little white fences and of course the people who stuck to the theme, dressed in white from head to toe, feathers, masks, hats, umbrellas, other accessories and more. Fashion and style ‘did tun up, way up!’ Not to mention the tasteful table decor and accent pieces brought. Great Effort, awesome job. The park has not had an event like this. Totally revamped. Unfortunately, the Secrecy factor was not realised. But who would expect that in Jamaica?
So, venue revealed. Transport to the venue was smooth. Then chaos. Persons had difficulty accessing their tables and chairs. Someone in particular had their table taken and they didn’t get their chairs for about 45 minutes so they were left to stand.
There were poor logistics with people accessing food and drinks as well. When they eventually obtained their food, it was cold and some got the wrong orders. Furthermore, check out the dish in the picture above. That was gourmet food? That was catered? That was what people paid for? People do better from home. But yes, it was one of the dishes prepared by Colin Hylton, Pork Belly. Worse, who wants cold Pork Belly? Wow. Risky. At least the Chicken dish was good. But, if the promoters did not market and weigh so heavily on catered food by renowned chefs etc. and stuck to the basic picnic theme of carrying your own food, this exquisite event would not have left such a bad taste in some people’s mouths.
However, there were positives. After people got settled in there was a good vibe and people enjoyed themselves. Despite poor logistics of accessing tables and chairs, long food and drink lines, crowd management was impressive and persons did not feel like they were confined in a small place with ~900 people. Someone said they felt as if they paid to go to a fun wedding.
It was especially evident that the majority enjoyed the festivities toward the end of the night. Sparkles were lit and balloons were released into the air. Some described the evening as ‘magical’ as it should be. Music was given a fair by those gifted with recognising quality versus others who thought it was great. Good range though, from mento to techno to soca to dancehall.
Le Diner en Blanc. A lot of hype that was not lived up to for persons that pay keen attention to good quality and detail. Even though the promoters have a lot to learn from and thus adjustments to make for the next staging, there is certainly a lot of potential for the event. A partyholic said it was ‘a nice change from the usual party scene’. Of course it was, it is a totally different kind of event compared to our ‘lacklustre sessions’. A comparison should not even be made, but can you blame him. A hype was built around catered food, sponsors and an all white theme. There were long lines for food and drinks, so perhaps an all-white Frenchmen party?
Putting all that aside, the event definitely had a different feel to it, the all-white made a big impact on the elegance and ambience of the event and persons, well most, were able to put the shaky start behind them and enjoy their night. Some would go back and some wouldn’t. Sad for such an event for people to have said they actually would not go back. However, you can’t please everybody. Kudos to the promoters for eventually pulling off one of the most highly anticipated events in Jamaica for a long time. There must have been loads of pressure and clearly a lot of skepticism faced. The vision in terms of what the event is intended to promote globally, was a little more than half accomplished. One of Suga’s sources gave it a pass. Friendship, Heritage and some Effort was achieved. Our monumental, Emancipation Park was completely transformed. Most importantly, Joie de Vivre (The Joy of Living) and Magic were completely fulfilled. Take it to Montego Bay next year, not Trident Castle, Portland 🙂