Don’t miss the Historic Grand Opening Party for Hard Rock Cafe in Montego Bay this Weekend!
There will be Live Performances by Ky-Mani Marley, Etana and Ikaya.
There will also be two other events on the same weekend, Let’s Funk and Revel. See information below for the entertaining weekend of 3 events and 1 venue!
Suga visited the new Hard Rock Cafe a few weekends ago and loved it! It is located beside the well known Secrets Resorts and Spa with adequate parking.
The place has been fully refurbished and has great bar and tv logistics for sports lovers and bar patrons.
For those who love to go out and have a good time, there was Live Entertainment on the Saturday night that I visited.
I didn’t get to have their food but I have heard rave reviews from Suga Bears. Their drinks however are strong! Leave it up to their bartenders and you will be buzzed all night.
I wish there was one in Kingston. Until then, looking forward to more visits to the Hard Rock Cafe!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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It was an absolute pleasure to travel from Kingston to witness Christina in her element at one of her family homes by Springfarm, Montego Bay along with her friend from Culinary school, Inemari Rabie of Miel & Meel. Inemari was based in South Africa and is now in France.
The presentation of their salivating spread of Pastries and other delights was so artistic that a few guests said the table was too beautiful to start eating what was on it.
Half Moon is hosting their Guest Chef series to enjoy the rich and bold flavours of Chef Ken Frank.
Chef Ken Frank’s landmark Restaurant is La Toque in Napa Valley, California. It has earned a Michelin star every year they have been awarded in Wine Country.
Chef Frank will create 6 exquisite courses to be paired exclusively with Jackson family wines at the Sugar Mill Restaurant, Half Moon.
Details are as follows:
To Reserve your spot:
Contact Concierge at 876-953-2211 ext. 43Â
OR
Email prearrivalconcierge@halfmoon.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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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.
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.
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!
Christina M.B. Simonitsch
Location: Montego Bay
Email: simosbreadandcatering@gmail.com
Catering, Cooking Lessons & Staff Training
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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***Although made with healthy Olive oil, you want to be cautious of staying within your healthy fats limit for the day, so just use a few smears, a bit lighter than the illustration above (Daily essential nutrients: Carbs -55%, Proteins -27%, Healthy Fats -18%)
7-minute Boiled Egg (One)
Sprinkles of Grated Parmesan
***Healthy choice of cheese
Sprinkles of Fresh Parsley
Sprinkles of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Dash of Cracked Pepper
Dash of Green Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
____________________________________________
Tina loves to bake, cook and EAT from Montego Bay, Jamaica!
For more delicious and innovative goodies like this from Tina Davis, follow or visit her Tumblr Page, sweetteeskitchen.tumblr.com/
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Iberostar Chef on Tour had Suga Bear, Tina Davis raving over what Chef Emma Bengtsson had to offer last weekend.
Chef Emma Bengtsson, a native of Sweden is the Executive Chef of Aquavit, a 2-Michelin star Scandinavian Restaurant in Manhattan, New York.
Aquavit was established in 1987 and continues to impress and be popular with New Yorkers and travellers from around the world two decades later.
Aquavit was also the first Restaurant in New York to have both a casual Bistro and Fine dining, i.e. house 2 Restaurant concepts under 1 roof.
Chef Emma Bengtsson was made Executive Chef in Spring 2014 and her talent, experience and fresh perspective earned Aquavit its 2nd Michelin Star in 2015. So Chef Bengtsson is now the 2nd female in the US and 1st Swedish female to run a kitchen with 2 Michelin stars.
She displayed her talents, ‘bringing a gastronomic experience to Montego Bay’ according to Suga Bear, Tina Davis over the weekend at the Iberostar Grand Suites Hotel.
Tina was amazed by every course, but seemed to enjoy the Cured Salmon the most. Chef Bengtsson even added a Jamaican course that was much appreciated, consisting of Sorrel stuffed with Ackee, roasted Ackee and seared Scallop. Tina was surprised the Ackee and Sorrel complemented each other well.
Thanks for visiting Jamaica Chef Bengtsson and Suga is looking forward to visiting Aquavit in NYC!
Aquavit
65 East 55th Street
Manhattan, New York
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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I also cannot forget to mention my annual craving of their Chairman’s Egg Nog. I endulged and enjoyed my spiked one as usual. You have until this Friday, January 6th to enjoy it as well as the White Chocolate Latte!
Enjoy at Sovereign Mall, Irish Town or NMIA in Kingston or Shoppes at Rose Hall or Fontana in Montego Bay!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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