Wouter Tjeerte of Pure Chocolate Company shows off Jamaica’s Bean-to-Bar Chocolate at Salon du Chocolat in Brussels, Belgium last weekend with Carl Sharpe of Chocollor Chocolate and Nadine Burie of Likkle More Chocolate beside him.
The Belgian capital hosted it’s 7th edition of Salon du Chocolat last weekend from February 14th to 16th, celebrating Chocolate in all its shapes and forms.
4 of our local Bean-to-Bar Chocolatiers, Wouter Tjeerte of Pure Chocolate Company, Carl Sharpe of Chocollor Chocolate, Nadine Burie of Likkle More Chocolate and Nick Davis of One One Cacao were a few of the 100 participants that took part in the 3-Day event at Tour & Taxis. Amongst them were other Chocolatiers, Bean-to-Bar specialists, Confectioners, Pastry chefs and cocoa-producing countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith along with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the EU, Sheila Sealey Monteith accompanied our Chocolatiers to give them support.
Visitors enjoyed pastry-making lessons, recipe demonstrations by top chefs and chocolate masters, tasting sessions and a Chocolate Fashion show!
Carl Sharpe of Chocollor Chocolate.
Our Chocolatiers did not only bring our Bean-to Bar Chocolate to Brussels, but they did well. Likkle More Chocolate and Pure Chocolate Company completely sold out and Nick Davis’s One One Cacao will now be available in Europe from Bean to Bar! They offer Chocolates from around the world and will have One One Cacao’s St. Thomas Coconut Milk and Clarendon Bars available for a limited time.
Nick Davis of One One Cacao with a buyer in Belgium.
Congratulations to all our Local Chocolatiers that brought Jamaican Chocolate to Europe. We are proud of you and appreciate you. One Love.
The Jamaican Team at Salon du Chocolat in Brussels Belgium last Weekend.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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GW Art’s Collection was held in the Rio Bueno Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus last week Saturday evening. The weather held up and a few persons even came out within the first hour of the show, but the majority filtered in from 6pm onwards.
Guests appreciated the colours and textures used by the artist, as well as the variety of pieces on display. The Collection definitely represented GW Art’s motto that ‘GW Art is for Everyone’.
Acrylic on canvas was the main medium used for wall paintings, big and small, framed and unframed.
Homey pieces greeted guests on the way in, followed by a wall of nature.
Consultant rheumatologist, Dr. Stacy Davis admiring a decorative pair of paintings by GW Art.
The standout piece for the night, ‘Connected’ showed depth and good technique from the artist.
GW Art’s new piece, ‘Connected’ – Acrylic on (60×60)m Canvas
‘Connected’ had quite a bit of representation for 1 piece and the artist ensured her perspective for it was expressed in her Lookbook, which ended up being passed around by guests with much excitement. The Lookbook included a chronological order of pieces from the current and previous collections with a bit about the artist, her perspective on each piece and how GW Art began. The Lookbook was dedicated to the artist’s late father and past West Indies Cricketer, Basil (Shotgun) Williams. Gabrielle plans on updating this lookbook as more pieces are created.
Sacha Vaccianna-Riley going through GW Art’s Lookbook with a glass of Vino in hand. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]There were a few wooden signs and pieces on a grid wall panel display, courtesy of Miracle Corporation Ltd., that caught the eyes of many. These pieces showed the trendy side of GW Art and ‘Blessed’was a favourite, with replicas ordered throughout the night.
Amongst the smaller paintings, ‘Our Doctor Bird’ was another favourite, with light brush strokes. The piece was inspired by the artist’s outing to Cafe Eits one morning for breakfast, where the hummingbirds would often come and go to their trees on property in the midst of a calm and cool ambience.
‘Our Doctor Bird’ on (8×10)” acrylic on canvas
‘Figure 8’ and ‘Foreplay’ were quite a hit with the men.
Gabrielle Burgess of GW Art with Jagari Green and her acrylic on canvas piece, ‘Figure 8’. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]GW Art’s ‘Foreplay’ – Framed by Frame Art Jamaica; Acrylic on (12×16)” Canvas. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Patsy and Raymond Mair shop cheeses with Gordon Dempster of Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Throughout the night, guests mingled and contemplated which pieces they should walk away with for the night.
Hospitality guru, Nicola Madden-Greig and husband, Stephen Greig were in attendance to support Suga Lifestyle (GW Art). [Photo: Kirk Wignall]With GW Art, it’s always wine o’clock, so wine was complimentary to guests complemented by what was on offer from the 3 selected, local artisans. Gabrielle Burgess of Suga Lifestyle, under which GW Art falls, knew that Jamaican made cheeses from Outland Hurders Creamery & Farmstead, Homemade Jams and Pepper Jellies from Chorlavi’s, along with bean to bar 71% dark Chocolate from One One Cacao would not only pair well with the Wine and Prosecco offered, but pair well amongst each other as well.
The artisans were pleasantly surprised, realising this during the event and were seen purchasing from each other. This is what Suga Lifestyle and embracing Brand Jamaica is all about!
Half and Half, Red Maroon, and the guest’s favourite, Jamaican Jack – cheeses from Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Tipsy Tamarind Jam, just one of the many from Chorlavi’s Homemade Pepper Jellies and Jams, low in sugar, which paired well with not only Cheese, but One One Cacao’s St. Mary, Unity Estate, 71% Dark Chocolate. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]The award-winning One One Cacao had their Bean to Bar Dark Chocolate and freshly baked Dark Chocolate Cookies. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Nella Davis Stewart of Chorlavi’s telling Dr. Kamar Fletcher and Kareem Tomlinson all about her homemade Pepper Jellies and Jams. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Local Chocolatier, Nick Davis with wife, Marta enjoyed the night as much as guests did. [Photo: Kirk Wignall]Brand Jamaica was well supported by over 80 guests in attendance and the event was a success for Suga Lifestyle (GW Art).
(L-R) Diane Wilson, Artist, Gabrielle Burgess, Damany Calder and Kimberly Nesbeth enjoyed their night with Suga Lifestyle (GW Art). [Photo: Kirk Wignall]
By: Gabrielle Burgess – Founder/Owner of Suga Lifestyle (GW Art)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
I am so happy that One One Cacao made it to Suga Lifestyle’s GW Art Collection from St. Mary with his award-winning bean to bar Dark Chocolate Bars and Dark Chocolate Cookies last Saturday!
My guests enjoyed them and Nick Davis and his lovely wife, Marta enjoyed our company too!
Support Local. Buy Jamaican. Build Jamaica.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
ONE ONE CACAO will be at GW Art’s Exhibition this Saturday at The Jamaica Pegasus in the Rio Bueno Suite from 5pm to 10pm!
Nick Davis, founder of One One Cacao just recently pushed Jamaican Chocolate well beyond its shores. One One Cacao was featured as one of the international makers in a new book on the global craft chocolate scene, Cacao Source.
What to possibly expect this Saturday?
Bean to Bar Dark Chocolate bars and some cookies, single origin from St. Catherine and Clarendon where you may be asked to Taste the difference!
Come check out One One Cacao this Saturday while you view and shop GW Art’s Collection!
BUT FIRST,
Get to know more about Nick Davis and One One Cacao in an excerpt from Suga Lifestyle’s Article published earlier this June, How Much Do You Know About Jamaican Chocolatiers?! | Suga Lifestyle:
Nick Davis of One One Cacao at his Chocolate Factory in St. Mary. (Photo:Â http://www.asksheil.com)
• Founder: Nick Davis
• BBC Caribbean’s correspondent
• Currently working on Production of Coffee in addition to his Chocolate Bars
• Factory in St. Mary overlooks the sea
• Started making Chocolate after he got a mystery illness, where he could no longer eat foods with preservatives
• He never thought he could give up Cadbury Dairy Milk, but when he decided to make his own Chocolate, he told Suga it was the best he has ever had. The need for sweet preservatives or artificial flavours was replaced by an appreciation for rich, strong, Dark Chocolate.
• Persons who make the switch to Dark Chocolate from Milk Chocolate with artificial flavours may find it bitter, but once you keep having it, you will love and appreciate the richness of Dark Chocolate like myself and Nick.
Fun Fact: Without getting access to Likkle More Chocolate, the majority of Suga tasters voted One One Cacao as the richest Dark Chocolate in Jamaica, May 25, 2019.
• Nick Davis wants Jamaican Chocolate to go global and be recognised as much as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, because we have some of the world’s finest Cocoa.
• Nick helps local Cocoa farmers by paying them a decent price.
• His Chocolate is 70% Cocoa
• Cane juice is used to sweeten the rest
Come see One One Cacao and support local this Saturday!
Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead with Jamaican made cheeses as well as Chorlavi’s with Homemade Pepper Jellies and Jams will be there too!
Buy Jamaican. Build Jamaica.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Jamaica has a handful of Chocolatiers that either support local Cocoa farmers or have their own Cocoa farm. They manufacture rich, high quality Chocolate Bars from the Cocoa Bean right here in Jamaica, more familiarly known as ‘Bean to Bar’ or ‘Farm to Bar’.
Our local Chocolatiers and where you can find their Chocolate Bars!
• Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers • Likkle More Chocolate • One One Cacao • Chocollor Chocolate • Pure Chocolate Company
> Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers
Founder: Local cocoa farmer, Averell French
This photo from The Jamaica Observer was taken in 2014, when Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers won Best New Food Item for their Chocolate Spread. Looking on is Food Judge, Matthew Hogarth.Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers’ Chocolate Bars. They have packs with miniature bars as well.
They produce various products from Cocoa:
• Cocoa Powder
• Cocoa Nibs (Good antioxidants that can be blended with herbal tea, blended with smoothies/shakes and added to cereal with a sprinkle)
• Chocolate Bars
• Chocolate Spread
• Chocolate Wine
• Chocolate Tea
Fun Fact:
Adam & Eve Day Spa uses Chocolate from Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers for Chocolate Face Masks.
Averell French’s wife, Helen with a package of their Cocoa Nibs at Suga Lifestyle’s Christmas Connection trade show last December 15, 2018.
***Where you can find Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers’ Chocolate Bars?***
Loshusan Supermarket, Barbican; Fontana Pharmacy, Barbican; The Jamaica Pegasus Store, New Kingston
Costs: ~$430-$450JMD +tx per bar; ~$900JMD+tx for miniature variety pack;Â $350JMD per bar (Wholesale/Factory price)
Instagram: @mount_pleasant_farm_chocolates
> Likkle More Chocolate
• Founder: Nadine Burie (Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards Dessert Chef of the Year – 2018 & 2019)
Nadine Burie (L) with staff from Cafe Blue.
• Production of Chocolate Bars still in the creative process
***The brand is under continuous expansion or changes, so the percentages and flavours stated are what Suga Lifestyle has observed over the past few years and in speaking with Nadine Burie last December, 2018. There may be more or less variety to date***
• 62% and 70% Dark Chocolate Bars
Nadine Burie and staff cracking the Cocoa pods for Chocolate production.
• Produces Decorated Chocolate Bars with a unique variety of flavours!
– White Chocolate and Green tea matcha
-Â Dark Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut Caramelized
– Ginger
– White
-Â Dark
Likkle More Chocolate’s Decorated Chocolates
***Where can you find Likkle More Chocolate Bars?***
Nick Davis of One One Cacao at his Chocolate Factory in St. Mary. (Photo: www.asksheil.com)
• Founder: Nick Davis
• BBC Caribbean’s correspondent
• Currently working on Production of Coffee in addition to his Chocolate Bars
• Factory in St. Mary overlooks the sea
• Started making Chocolate after he got a mystery illness, where he could no longer eat foods with preservatives
• He never thought he could give up Cadbury Dairy Milk, but when he decided to make his own Chocolate, he told Suga it was the best he has ever had. The need for sweet preservatives or artificial flavours was replaced by an appreciation for rich, strong, Dark Chocolate.
• Persons who make the switch to Dark Chocolate from Milk Chocolate with artificial flavours may find it bitter, but once you keep having it, you will love and appreciate the richness of Dark Chocolate like myself and Nick.
Fun Fact: Without getting access to Likkle More Chocolate, the majority of Suga tasters voted One One Cacao as the richest Dark Chocolate in Jamaica, May 25, 2019.
Photo: www.asksheil.com
• Nick Davis wants Jamaican Chocolate to go global and be recognised as much as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, because we have some of the world’s finest Cocoa.
• Nick helps local Cocoa farmers by paying them a decent price.
• His Chocolate is 70% Cocoa
• Cane juice is used to sweeten the rest
***Where can you find One One Cacao Chocolate Bars?***
The Butcher Block, Manor Park; Cannonball, Manor Park; Craft Cottage, Village Plaza
Cost: ~$900 – $1000JMD +tx per bar
Instagram: @oneonecacao
> Chocollor Chocolate
Carl Sharpe of Chocollor Chocolate
• Family business owned by Carl and Donna Sharpe from Trelawny
• Donna and Carl moved to Kingston and now have their business in Kingston
• Carl Sharpe is a certified Chocolatier from the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad and Ecole Chocolat
• Carl used to be a mechanical engineer and then he had a vision to create something authentically Jamaican
• Chocollor produces Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Bars
• White Chocolate Bars are to be produced in the near future
• 6 and 12 – packs available with a variety of miniature Milk, White and Dark chocolates
• They use Cane juice to sweeten; no preservatives
Chocollor Chocolate’s 6-pack variety of miniature Dark, Milk and White Chocolates.
Fun Facts:
Suga Taster, Tennyson Arnold still has a preference for Chocolate with artificial flavours. So, Chocollor Chocolate’s Milk Chocolate was his favourite at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting. Also, their White Chocolate was well received and their Dark Chocolate was richest for Suga Taster, Randy Burgess.
***Where can you find Chocollor Chocolate Bars?***
Costs:Â $290JMD per Milk Chocolate bar; $375JMD per Dark Chocolate Bar; $790JMDÂ for miniature variety 6-pack (Milk, Dark, White); $817.18JMD for miniature variety 12-pack (Milk, Dark, White); $667.94 for 12-pack Milk Chocolates; $959.66 for 12-pack Dark Chocolates; $796.90 for 12-pack Milk & Dark Chocolates
> Pure Chocolate Company
Rennae Tjeerte of Pure Chocolate Company.
• Founders: Former Executive and Assistant Pastry Chefs at Half Moon, Wouter and Rennae Tjeerte respectively, who met working at Half Moon and found love. Wouter is from Holland and Rennae is from St. Catherine.
• Some time after Half Moon, Wouter worked at Jade Mountain Luxury Resort in St. Lucia, where they make their own Chocolate from scratch. Wouter had no choice but to learn how to make Chocolate. Rennae was quite enthusiastic about this and learned how to make Chocolate too.
• Eventually Rennae longed to return home to Jamaica. Wouter told her once she could source a good quality Cocoa bean, they would return and they did!
Wouter Tjeerte of Pure Chocolate Company
• They also produce Slow Roasted Cocoa Nibs
• Support local farmers
Pure Chocolate Company’s Local Cocoa farmer, Mr. Bodie in Tom’s Hope Fellowship, Portland.
• The Cocoa is transported from Portland to their factory in Spanish Town, where they ferment and dry the Cocoa bean.
• They produce a variety of Dark Chocolates Farm to Bar: 68% slow roasted nibs, 75% Pure Chocolate, 84% Pure Chocolate and 70% Jerk Seasoning
• They have unique molding too!
• Pure Chocolate Company supports local Artist, Taj Francis, graduate of Edna Manley for their bold packaging
Check out what Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth had to say about the local Chocolate that tasted the best to her on May 25, 2019 at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting!Â
Did you know Jamaican Chocolate made it to Amsterdam, Netherlands?!
Pure Chocolate Company’s Chocolates being sold at Chocoa, Amsterdam’s Chocolate Festival earlier this year from February 23 – February 24, 2019!
***Where can you find Pure Chocolate Company’s Chocolate Bars?***
Costs: ~$950-$1000JMD +tx per bar; $800JMD per bar (Trade show price) $650JMD per bar (Wholesale price with a minimum of 24 bars)
Instagram: @purechocolatecompany
One last Fun Fact:
One of the Chocolate companies in Grenada uses a machine that they got from the Highgate Chocolate Factory in Richmond, St. Mary, Jamaica that closed in 2006.
My Suga Tasters, who you will hear more about soon, had a blast at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting. I hope you enjoyed reading about our Jamaican Chocolatiers and their stories. Please go out and try our local Chocolates soon. You will not regret it!
Buy Local, Buy Jamaican 🇯🇲
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
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).
Cafe Blue also had their Milk and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans that I enjoy.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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
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