Christina Simonitsch of Simo’s Bread and Catering, Montego Bay is in town today! Check her out at Kayter on 18 Ballater Avenue. She will have Christmas gifts available. They will be perfect to give just about anyone you know who will be cooking up a storm this Christmas.
Christina not only does specialty Breads and Pastries, but has Gourmet selections and her private label Condiment line of Pepper sauces, Sea salt, Pepper Jelly, Basil Pesto, Jerk Butter, Marinades and more are one of a kind. She makes Honey now too!
For some time now, my cousin in Montego Bay told my husband about a young lady that makes extremely delicious Pastries and handcrafted Breads.
The young lady she spoke of is Christina Simonitsch. With this kind of recommendation, we both followed her on Instagram immediately. Her Instagram page, @simosbreadandcatering is quite mouth-watering. You can see the joy and passion she has for cooking and baking, leaving you with no choice but to want to be a part of it.
The name, Simonitsch is quite known not only in Montego Bay, but islandwide and worldwide. Christina is what we Jamaican folks would like to call ‘good stock’. Her father is Heinz Simonitsch, the Austrian hotelier that arrived on the island to run Half Moon in 1963. Under his stewardship, Halfmoon became one of the most successful privately-owned beach resorts in the world. He retired in 2002 and has been recognized by being awarded with the Honorary Order of Distinction for his lifetime contribution to Tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
With his retirement, I am happy to see his name live on in the Culinary industry of Jamaica via his eldest daughter Christina. Christina grew up in the kitchen and it seems as if the passion for what she does is in her DNA. She knew what her career would be from very early and also learnt from her Aunt and Grandmother in Austria.
After catering for mostly friends and family at small gatherings, the choice was easy for her to stay and work in Jamaica instead of returning to Europe. Word spread so fast, her hands were full.
Christina not only does specialty Breads and Pastries, but has Gourmet selections and her private label Condiment line of Pepper sauces, Sea salt, Pepper Jelly, Basil Pesto, Marinades and more. She is based in Montego Bay, so occasionally, she announces when she will be coming into Kingston and posts her list with prices. She usually comes in on a Thursday, where pick ups can be made at Shams Bakery in The Marketplace between 11am-2pm.
I ordered her Basil Pesto the 2nd to last time she came into Kingston because I was too late to order the Cinnamon Buns I have been dying to taste.
I made a fabulous Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Shrimp. That Basil Pesto is definitely #sugaendorsed.
She came back to Kingston last week Thursday. I made sure my order of Cinnamon Buns and a Cronut was in early this time, especially since there was an occasion to celebrate. My father-in-law got treated with Cinnamon Buns for his birthday and we all enjoyed it. I love that the icing comes separately in a bag if you are watching your calories.
Suga’s order of Simo’s Bread and Catering’s Cinnamon Buns in a 9″ tin with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (L) -($1700JMD); Cronut (R) – $950JMD
After trying Simo’s Bread & Catering’s pastries, watching calories goes out the window. That Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting I thought I was just going to have a smear of, was a delightful topping for the scrumptious Cinnamon Buns.
Simo’s Bread & Catering Cronut – $950JMD
I sat down in my living room about to have my Cronut thinking to myself, why did I just spend almost a $1000JMD on a cross between a Croissant and a Doughnut? Say no more. I took one bite and it was heavenly. The perfect mix of moist and crispy with a touch of flavoured cream on the inside and a hint of icing on top. A bite turned into quicker bites, then a swallow and I had to stop myself. I knew I needed to savour it. So I decided to distract myself by messaging my husband who missed the opportunity of being home for this pleasurable experience. I told him there is no way I could save a piece for him. Then just like that it was finished. Instead of feeling guilty for indulging in this pastry, I just sat there with a smile on my face like a real pleased puss. It was totally worth it. Well, maybe $500 plus the delivery to Kingston. Regardless, I would order that Cronut again in a heartbeat.
When is Simo’s Bread and Catering’s next trip to Kingston? Â I have good news. I am not sure when you can make Orders for Pick ups but Christina will be Co-hosting a gathering soon on May 19 at Kayter Restaurant on Ballater Avenue. It should be a gastronomic experience. Make your Reservations!
ACV is the result of 2 Fermentation processes after the crushing and squeezing of apples followed by the addition of bacteria and yeast.
Sugars are converted to Alcohol in the 1st Fermentation process and Alcohol is converted to Vinegar in the 2nd Fermentation process.
How does it taste?
Sour or bitter because of the acetic and malic acid it contains.
What is the recommended use?
About a tablespoon before a meal.
Does ACV make you lose weight?
Yes.
How does ACV help you lose weight?
ACV suppresses your appetite so it makes you feel fuller for longer. Therefore it helps with portion control.
It also helps digestion because it is full of enzymes to help the body break down food.
However, it blocks the digestion of starch, thus controls blood sugar levels allowing less calories to enter the bloodstream.
What is ACV used in?
– Vinaigrettes and other Salad dressings
– Food preservatives
– Chutneys
– Marinades
What else can ACV help you with?
There are claims ACV may cure hiccups, fade bruises, clear acne, get rid of dandruff and more, but one thing that seems to work for people is that it helps them to lose weight.
Reasons to take CAUTION
– ACV can alter insulin levels so Diabetics should talk to a Doctor before using it.
– ACV tablets are not all regulated as yet and some have had side effects
Suga’s thoughts on using ACV?
One should consult a Doctor first, as it alters the body’s natural chemical processes and one should know especially the effects it may have of blocking the digestion of starch.
It should help persons lose weight but after someone stops using ACV before meals, the appetite may open up tremendously and the weight previously lost could pile back on in the process.
Practising something usually becomes a habit. One can try practising portion control with meals naturally with mere willpower and determination instead of getting hooked on using ACV.
Eating fibre-rich foods will also suppress the appetite and aid with portion control. However, if one wishes to make a salad feel more filling once in a while, they could try using a vinaigrette that is made with some ACV.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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