Throwback Thursday to Jamaica Coffee Festival! Have You Had Your Coffee Yet?

Gabby Burgess a.k.a Suga, of Suga Lifestyle at Jamaica Coffee Festival in Newcastle, Jamaica on Saturday, March 25, 2023

Enjoy a cup of @jablumcoffee, @coffeeroastersjamaica, @stoneleighcoffeeja, @moyhallcoffee, @islandblueja, @deafcancoffee, you name it!

Picking up? Stop by @cannonballcafe, @cafedolceja, @cafeblueja, @ragamuffincafe, @ritualscoffeehouseja, @jablumoxford, @pressshopco or @bluemahoeestatecoffee.

Celebrate Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Everyday! #SiptheGreatness

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

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

Suga’s Top 6 picks to have Dinner for Valentine’s Day

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1. EITS Cafe

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EITS Cafe will be featuring a special a la carte menu from 12noon to 4pm and a Valentine’s Dinner Buffet from 5pm to 8pm. Be sure to RSVP because space is limited!

Suga recommends you celebrate love in the mountains if you get the Friday off or get to leave work early. Such a fresh, cool, calm atmosphere.

Here are the mains from the Dinner Buffet menu or you can go to www.17milepostja.com to see full menus.

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EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Ph#: 876-944-8974

Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica

2. Sugar Mill Restaurant

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The Sugar Mill Restaurant by Half Moon, Montego Bay has the perfect ambience for Valentine’s Day Dinner. I am not sure if they have any special menu for the day, but if you go, be sure to ask for your local rate and enjoy.

It is the best restaurant in Jamaica and guaranteed value for money.

Sugar Mill Restaurant

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: Spring Farm Drive. Half Moon, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ph: 876-953-2211; 1-800-626-0592

Website: http://www.halfmoon.com

Hashtag for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: #SugarMillJamaica

3. The Blue Window Restaurant at the Jamaica Pegasus

The Blue Window Restaurant has quite an eye-catching menu and they aim to please with added entertainment. Even their Island Jerk Chicken Salad looks good. But how do you choose between that and the Spicy Curry Shrimp with whipped saltfish?! Make sure you order both and feed each other. I would also definitely have their Surf & Turf.

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The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5

4. Chive Restaurant

One of my faves, Chive restaurant is offering a 4-Course Valentine’s menu for Friday AND Saturday. Their menu looks fantastic, especially that chive style Bouillabaise! Be sure to make your reservations, as seating is limited.

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Chive Restaurant

Location: Shop 15, Orchid Village Plaza. 20 Barbican Road. Kingston 6.

Ph: 876-820-1194

Instagram: @chivejamaica

5. Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Cellar 8 is offering a glass of Prosecco with dinner and their dishes are usually delicious. The C8 Seafood Thermidor looks like the winner to me.

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Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm – 11pm

6. The Terra Nova All Suite Hotel 

The Terrace or Regency Room at The Terra Nova Hotel is quite reputable to have dinner for special occasions.

Their Filet Minon that is usually cooked to perfection is on the menu!

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The Terra Nova All Suite Hotel 

***Reservations Recommended***

Guests with Reservations receive Priority Seating

Location: 17 Waterloo Road. Kgn. 10.

Ph: 876-926-2211; 876-754-2114

Make your reservations and Enjoy! Love is in the air. 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

TGIF! The Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Starts Today!

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The 2nd annual Blue Mountain Coffee Festival starts today! Blue Mountain Coffee has the reputation of being one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world over the past few decades.

This event hopes to attract tourists and international coffee buyers, as well as create awareness of the rapidly growing coffee culture amongst us as local consumers.

Friday, March 1st – Trade Day

The Festival kicks off today with a networking and learning experience for farmers allowing them to showcase their coffee and coffee byproducts.

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Saturday, March 2nd – Festival Marketplace

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Last year’s view from Newcastle at the 1st staging of the Marketplace at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival

After you finish with Suga Lifestyle’s Nutrition session tomorrow, the Festival Marketplace in Newcastle will be buzzing with activity. You can then browse and purchase coffee to put in your protein shakes each morning!

There will be coffee galore, coffee byproducts and live demos if you are a barista at home, as well as live musical entertainment and crafts on showcase from local artisans. You would also learn about coffee related tours.

Festival Marketplace Ticket costs: $1500 (Adults); $500 (Children 2-12 years and students with ID)

***Complimentary round trip Shuttle Services will be provided from UTECH Library Car Park to Newcastle starting at 9am***

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If you would like to make a weekend of it, there are activities on Sunday too!

Sunday, March 3 – The Culinary Trail (Reservation Only)

There will be a Coffee-themed Brunch at Strawberry Hill and other eateries along the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Trail should have a signature Blue Mountain Coffee infused dish on their menu that day.

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Enjoy!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Live Entertainment and Eats at EITS Cafe this Saturday!

Limited seating, but great opportunity to enjoy live entertainment and dining in the Blue Mountains. Book your spot if it isn’t too late! #SugaEndorsed

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EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

RSVP to [email protected]

Ph#: 876-944-8974

Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

 

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Fulfilling experience for Suga at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival

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Overlooking the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival’s Marketplace in Newcastle last Saturday, March 24, 2018. (Instagram Photo: Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages)

Coffee producers and baristas were out in their numbers last Saturday at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Marketplace in Newcastle, St. Andrew.

Many booths had hot coffee to keep patrons warm in the fog, such as Cafe Blue, Stoneleigh (Mavis Bank 100% Blue Mountain Coffee), Toyota Coffee House, Starbucks, Perk Up and Country Traders Limited (Coffee Roasters Blue Mountain Coffee).

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Cafe Blue also had their Milk and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans that I enjoy.

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Cafe Blue’s Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans (Photo: Suga Bear, Stephen Greig)

My husband enjoyed the smooth, hot brew offered by Perk up, from Flamstead Estate. Perk Up had a soft launch at the Coffee Festival, as they are planning to enter the market more competitively. They are currently at a few cafe outlets, including Shelly’s Cafe at U.T.E.C.H.

Deaf Can Coffee Baristas were there, brewing at 3 different tents including Cannonball Cafe and Jamaica Toyota Coffee House.

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Deaf Can Baristas at the Country Traders Ltd. booth (Instagram Photo: @deafcancoffee)

I was impressed with Cannonball Cafe that uses Jablum Coffee. They were the only ones I saw that offered Frappes and Coffee Martinis. I had the Caramel Crunch Cafe Frappe for just $300JMD. They had Paint and Sip for $1500JMD along with a free Espresso Martini overseeing a picturesque view too! There were cold brews from Cafe Blue and Stoneleigh, but I prefer Frappes.  Even though it was a cool atmosphere being up so high, the sun was still fully out and I warmed up after walking around the venue.

Cannonball’s coffee infused desserts were a treat too! My nieces and I enjoyed their Coffee and Chocolate Brownies for a steal of $100JMD, Mini Eclairs with Coffee infused cream ($300JMD) and Coffee Bread Pudding with Coffee glaze ($300JMD).

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Cannonball Cafe can be found in Barbican (Loshusan Centre), New Kingston (Barbados Ave.), Manor Park (Lower Manor Park Plaza) and Sovereign North Plaza.

Restaurants other than Cafe Blue that are on the Blue Mountain Culinary trail were out, such as Belcour Lodge with their line of Preserves and Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages. Blue Ridge had a tasty Coffee Cake for $300JMD.

The experienced and poised hostess, Emprezz kept the patrons well-informed throughout the day and presented prizes and surprises, hosted short interviews and more.

The suits of Tourism came out, shook hands and spoke to the patrons. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlet along with his entourage, as well as Adam Stewart, Chairman of The Tourism Linkages Council were there. The council has been making great strides, developing projects to increase our influx of visitors to Jamaica via the Gastronomy network, Shopping, Health and Wellness, Sports and Entertainment and Knowledge. The Jamaica Coffee Festival Marketplace branched out across all these networks, with major focus on the Gastronomic Network. Key initiatives and Projects such as development of a Blue Mountain Coffee experience, strategic partnerships with other networks and the promotion of food festivals were all achieved. Kudos to them and the great turn out of patrons to support such an important initiative. Tickets were sold out!

If the endless amount of coffee wasn’t enough, Tarrus Riley entertained the crowd for over an hour!

CB Chicken, Copperwood Pork and Best Dressed Chicken were out to feed the masses. The Best Dressed Booth was quite popular with their Gourmet Hot dogs, loaded fries and more. I enjoyed their Jerked Chicken.

Island Blue, which you normally see in our hotels, displayed and sold their Jamaica Coffee Liqueurs from Baronhall Estate, Coffee Beans, Branded mugs and more.

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Farm to table Coffee Beans from Island Blue!

Kande’s Delights had long lines for ice cream including coffee flavours of course.

Various Arts & Crafts exhibitors were about, but one of the Skin Care exhibitors, I Love Sweetness Coffee Scrubs grabbed my attention with their body scrubs, scented soaps and skin tonics. Their representatives were quite knowledgeable about their products and marketed them well.

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There were representatives and Informative pamphlets from Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on the story of Jamaican Coffee. Jamaican Coffee Recipes were available too.

Hollywell provided information on tours and events, signing persons up to receive information on events in the future too. They also had persons chatting up a storm about their Coffee Rice and Peas cooked by ‘Natural by Nature’ in their community.

Congratulations to the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Team. Great initiative, efficient use of space and well executed event. #SugaEndorsed

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Festival starts Today!

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TGIF! Remember that the Jamaica Blue Mountain Festival starts today!

Today

The Coffee Industry Players in association with JACRA and RADA will be busy hosting workshops.

Tomorrow

Do not miss The Festival Marketplace! It should be a cultural experience showcasing not only our local coffee and coffee-induced products, but our talented crafty artisans, dancers, singers and more, headlined by Tarrus Riley!

The shuttle departs hourly from UTECH starting at 9am and Tickets cost $1000JMD for Adults and $500JMD for Children under 12 and Students with ID. The Festival ends at 6pm.

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Ticket Outlets:

> Cafe Blue (Sovereign & Irish Town)

> Cannonball Cafe (New Kgn, Sovereign North, Manor Park)

> Toyota Coffee House: 93 Hope Road

Sunday

Take a drive along the Blue Mountain Culinary trail. It has some cosy spots with spectacular views and food. See the list with numbers on the flyer below, call and make your reservations today!

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They are all quite a treat, but if you like local cuisine, Crystal Edge is the place. If you have a sweet tooth, Cafe Blue is just next door with exquisite desserts by award-winning baker, Nadine Burie.

Blue Ridge is far up, but worth the trek. Savoury food and good service. Their presentation is also one of a kind.

Support Brand Jamaica and our flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this weekend in Newcastle, St. Andrew!

For more Information:

Call: 876-405-0953

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @jamaicacoffeefest

Website: http://www.jamaicacoffeefest.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Save the Date!

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The Ministry of Tourism and The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be hosting a Festival for Jamaica’s flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this March 23-25, 2018 in New Castle, St. Andrew.

They promise an immersive experience from farm to cup and table!

For more Information:

Call: 876-405-0953

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @jamaicacoffeefest

Website: www.jamaicacoffeefest.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

Yummy Eats from EITS Cafe! Beat the heat & head up there this Summer!

Beat the summer heat and head up to the cool, scenic Hills of Newcastle. Service was a bit slow with a wait of half hour for some and an hour for others. The smaller the group, the less the wait. But the service by the waitresses and hospitality of co-operator, Robyn Fox was great. They made you feel at home. Their signature Barrel-roasted Chicken was divine as well as all of the other dishes we had, including Shrimp Pasta with Pesto sauce, Curried Fish, Curried Shrimp, Chicken Breast and Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Mushroom sauce. Imagine, lunch for 7 persons including a flask of rum, beers and other drinks, the bill was just $13,000JMD tax inclusive.

EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Ph#: 876-944-8974

Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica

Date of visit: 2/8/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆