A. Dulce de Leche Creamcheese Cronut; B. Bacon and Maple Cronut; C. Vanilla Sugar Palmiers
TGIF and #fbf to part of Suga’s Valentine’s haul from Simo’s Bread and Catering last Friday at the Valentine’s Pop Up at Wrightlife Live Food Eatery located at the Kiosks in Devon House, Kingston.
Gourmet Pastries from Simos are ALWAYS worth the calories. I was in Pastry heaven. #SugaSnaps #SugaEndorsed
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga with Ronetta Crooks-Allen of RSS Natural Delites.
Mrs. Ronetta Crooks-Allen of RSS Natural Delites doesn’t only make Coconut Drops, she makes flavoured Coconut Drops. Sunflower seeds, Sesame seeds and more are amongst the flavours, but the Coconut Drops with Cranberries are my favourite.
Ronetta was unfortunately unable to be a Suga artisan last year at Suga Lifestyle’s Christmas Connection, however she was still generous enough to offer a package of her sweet, natural delights as a giveaway for the show.
Everton Cummings was the happy recipient of the RSS Natural Delites variety pack at Suga Lifestyle’s Christmas Connection on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
Suga got some timely feedback that he hardly even got to taste much of the Coconut Drops, because they vanished so quickly at his household.
These flavoured Coconut Drops are truly special. They are not too sweet or overpowered by their added flavours. The essence of coconut is still highlighted and quite delightful to the palate as the name suggests.
Order Coconut Drops from Ronetta today, she delivers!
Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaica.
RSS Natural Delites
Location: 138 Rhone Park Estate. Old Harbour, St. Catherine. JA. W.I.
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Kingston Kitchen had Hope Gardens buzzing with activity last Saturday. It was a great event for family, friends and foodies to unite for the love of food.
The event was well supported, probably the biggest staging I’ve ever seen. The logistics and execution of the event was quite commendable.
Just a few drawbacks for me. One bar was not enough for the event and amount of patrons. It was overcrowded to say the least.
I also believe that our Gastronomy network via the Tourism Industry should have been involved with the event to incorporate tourists from various hotels on the north coast of the island. Kingston Kitchen’s Night Market would have been an eye-opening experience for them to see so much of our culture in one area and in one night. The event would also expose them to Kingston, as many tourists are unaware of the many cultural activities, beauty and places to go that exist in Kingston. For the next Kingston Kitchen, I would like to see them in bus loads!
There were so many vendors to pick, choose and refuse from, Suga and husband went with a hit list.
Here is a reminder of what Kingston Kitchen had to offer in addition to entertainment for adults and kids:
I am proud to say my husband, Randy and I succeeded. We definitely took note of places to try in the near future as well.
Suga’s Breakdown!
MUST-STOPS AND GLAD BAG BUSS
â— Stush in the Bush– A variety of unique Sauces, Spreads and Preserves made with love. Always a crowd pleaser.
Lisa and Chris Binns doing what they do best at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday, July 7, 2018.
â— Lucky Strike Seafood Bar and Grill – Their Seafood bowl is always a hit. My husband approves!
Randy Burgess and wife, Suga a.k.a Gabby from Suga Lifestyle at Kitchen last Saturday
â— Street Food Saturdays – Fresh mint Lemonade, Street corn and more. They kept patrons coming all night!
â— Fish Pot – Flavourful, peppery Fish soup. Great gas buster to prep for food galore.
â—Simo’s Bread and Catering – Pastries, Soursop Popsicles, Dessert, Sauces, Seasonings. Excellent spread as usual from the main hands of it all, Christina Simonitsch.
Delicious Mini Cronuts, Pastries, Sauces and more from Simo’s Bread and Catering at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday.
â— I Love Paella – Rich, flavourful Tapas! From Valencia with love. Bravas, Croquetas and Empañadas cooked right in front of you.
â— Scott van Bonnet -Â New kid on the block from Blue Diamond Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. They had tasty Turkey and Lamb Wraps. Loved the infused flavours.
Coming soon to Kingston, Ocho Rios and Negril. Can’t wait!
â— Topp In Designz Limited – Foodie Gear galore!
Suga had to cop this shirt!
DISAPPOINTMENTS
â— Gypsy House Tapas!
I have never thrown away food at Kingston Kitchen, but there is always a first. Trust me, I tried my best to eat their Seafood and Meat stacked Paella, but I just couldn’t get past the dry rice that nearly choked me and lack of flavour. It was horrible. Chef Enric’s, I Love Paella still stands as the place to go for authentic Valencian Paella.
â— Soup King
They didn’t have any Soup for over an hour after the start time of the event. They seemed to have gotten things going later on in the night though.
SATISFYING STOPS #SugaSnaps
â— Lyming at Walkerswood – Mannish water, Curried Goat and more. Jamaican cooked food that goes right to the heart and makes you feel at home.
â— NCR Sheep Limited –Â Tasty Lamb sausage.
â— Rolly Polly – Ice cream for adults and kids. I enjoyed my topping of Bailey’s rum cream on my Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream. Delish!
PLEASANT SURPRISES
Gustazos BoothÂ
Suga had a ball in the Money Machine to grab as much cash as possible in a short period of time to go towards her Gustazos Account credit.
Patrons enjoyed their small giveaways, boomerang photo booth and money machine! Fun addition to the event.
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!
Share your Photo of the Cheesecake you made from his recipe or share your review!
—————————-
INGREDIENTS
Cream part
1Â cup – Cream cheese *(Fat Free Philadelphia Cream cheese could be used to reduce fat content)
3/4 cup & 1Â tablespoon – Heavy cream
1/2Â cup – Icing or Normal Sugar
1Â tablespoon – Vanilla extract
1Â cup – Graham crackers or Butter biscuits
1Â Strawberry jam
Prep time is 5 min, serves 4.
—————————-
DIRECTIONS
1Â For the cream part, put all the ingredients into a large bowl.
2Â With a mixer, mix all your ingredients until the cream becomes really soft and stays. If you don’t have a mixer use a whisk, it will do the same job (it just will take more time)
3Â For the bottom crust break the biscuits (with any method you want) until they become crumbs (also you may use ready biscuits crumbs like graham crackers)
4Â Now you are ready to serve it in the glasses. Add the biscuits in the bottom then add your cream and lastly add your strawberry jam on top.
5Â Let your glasses stay in the fridge for about 3 hours or a whole night.
6Â TIP: If you want to make it more professional add only the biscuits and the cream in the glasses and add the strawberry jam right before you eat it, it will be more easy to fill the top.
When last have you had a good, moist, delicious slice of Chocolate cake? Suga hasn’t had one in a while. I think it is hard to find nowadays since everyone seems to be trying to perfect Cheesecake in every flavour, shape and form. However, word has it that Table Talk Observer Food Awards winner for Outstanding Baker 2014, Sweet Moments by Nadene Lazarus has a decadent Chocolate cake on Fridays by Countryside. The revamped Countryside club is located at 7 Courtney Walsh Drive.
Feel free to share your favourite spot for Chocolate cake in Ja!
