Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle, with the Master Blender of the Wray and Nephew line of fine rums, Mrs. Joy Spence, OD at the first staging of the Jamaica Rum Festival earlier this year.
Cocktail culture has diversfied tremendously in Jamaica and what better spirit to do it with, Rum! Suga is looking forward to mixes with the Appleton Estate Signature Blend. Look out for Bars, Restaurants and Tours across Jamaica offering specials and hosting celebrations.
Here are just a few!
Kingston
Montego Bay
Ocho Rios
St. Elizabeth
Clarendon
For our people who love mass celebrations, Appleton Estate, Jamaica’s popular international spirit, is hosting National Rum Day celebrations at Murray’s Chillin’ in Clarendon, where a live free concert will be held, headlined by Wayne Marshall and Maxi Priest.
Enjoy the weekend and Drink Responsibly!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga introduces you to Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth!
Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth
Kimberly is an Aquatic Exercise Instructor as well as an Auditor. Her favourite dish is Smoked Pork Chops. Kimberly frequenty travels out of town and her favourite casual spot is Blue Mahoe, Negril and her favourite choice for an occasion is The Trident Hotel, Portland. She has travelled to 20 countries including Thailand, Singapore, India, Brazil, Spain and France! Kimberly enjoys trying new things and detests eating at the same places. Let’s see where Suga Taster, Kimmy dined and what she had to say!
Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth’s Ratings for the Summer Special, Bottomless Prosecco and Pasta Dinner at The Trident Hotel
Date and time of visit: Late afternoon in June
No. of diners: 5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★★
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★
Suga Taster, Kimmy’s Breakdown!
After a splendid day at Frenchman’s Cove, Suga Taster, Kimmy’s party was famished. So with two Canadians in tow, she thought it would be a great opportunity for them to view the exquisite Trident Hotel whilst enjoying a pleasant meal.
They felt welcomed from the entrance to the parking lot. Their server was quite hospitable and recommended they order from the Bottomless Prosecco & Pasta Dinner Menu for USD$30 per person. The options were limited, but enough for them to all order something different. After trying to get their Prosecco refill, they were notified that the Prosecco in fact wasn’t bottomless. However, due to the misleading menu title, they received a complimentary refill.
Their server was remarkably attentive and the food was truly tasty. After their meal, they received a full tour of the property and one of the villas.
Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
TGIF Suga Bears! I hope you had a great Emancipation Day!
I told you to stay tuned this week for more Suga highlights from Kingston Kitchen held last Saturday at Hope Gardens!
I am enthusiastic to report that the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches from Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead did not disappoint! There was a small change in plans from the raspberry recipe, but the locally made artisan cheeses used, Jamaican Jack and the 2-week old Crescenza were so rich. #realrich. The Cheeses were the highlight of the sandwiches as they should be, whether it was a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Sweet with Caramelized Onions or a little spicy with Cilantro. Well done Outland Hurders from Manchester!
#SugaEndorsed
The Beef and Lamb Shawarma Fries from 2 Yutes were delish.
Chris and Lisa Binns in action from Stush in the Bush at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday, July 27, 2019.
It was no surprise that Stush in the Bush were a hit for persons looking for a healthy option to indulge or just consistently tasty gourmet delights. They served up a wide range of options, including their Condiments made with Love and Affection, but their Fyah Grilled Pizzas, Vegan Parmesan and scrumptious Beignets with Chocolate Sauce Passion curd were popular amongst patrons.
Stush in the Bush’s Beignets with Chocolate Sauce Passion curd.If you missed it, Stush in the Bush’s Menu to Gastronomy Heaven!
One One Cacao came with a unique, refreshing option of a Cacao rum shot!
Jabba’s Peppa Swims came with Peppa Swims Kebabs, Seafood Pasta, Mallah Crab and more to tantalize the tastebuds!
Mallah Crab from Jabbas Peppa Swims!
Suga Tasters and Suga Babies including myself were quite impressed with newbies, All Spice Catering & Events’ Food Truck! Their Chicken & Waffles and Seafood Boil were divine. I was too full to try their Oxtail Arancini, but next time! #SugaSnaps #SugaEndorsed
Chicken & Waffles from All Spice Catering and Events’ Food Truck
Dream Bowls Ja were a hit as expected and so were the sweet treats from Kup Up Kreations!
Nice Cream, a hit at Kingston Kitchen for their 2nd year!
The young ladies from Nice Cream did well recruiting patrons to taste their non-dairy Ice cream that was still so flavourful!
I am sure patrons enjoyed much more, but taking menus into consideration, feedback from Suga Tasters and my picks that did not disappoint, those were the highlights folks! If you missed the highlights from Tuesday’s thowback, check it out. How could I forget the Churros from Fromage!
Kudos again to Leisha Wong, Melanie Miller and Jacqui Sinclair for a job well done, showcasing our impressive, thriving Jamaican culinary scene and diversifying our palates.
Until next year!
#FortheLoveofFood #EatGood
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Happy Tuesday Suga Bears, Suga Babies and Suga Daddies! If you missed Suga Lifestyle’s Instastories from Kingston Kitchen, you missed all the good stuff! Not to worry, I will be highlighting a few this week.
Suga is proud to say her Hit List was on point! Well done to all who participated and kudos to Leisha Wong and her Kingston Kitchen team for another fantastic staging of Kingston Kitchen. Great event for family and friends to come together.
#tbt to the crackling, juicy Pork Belly from Fromage Gourmet Market and the tender Steak Bruschetta from Cannonball Café!
Fromage Gourmet Market’s Pork Belly at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday.Cannonball Café’s Steak Bruschetta
Fromage were also winners with their Curried Goat Empanadas and Cannonball’s Hard (Rum) Lemonade wss a hit too!
Stay tuned his week for more Suga highlights from Kingston Kitchen.
#FortheLoveofFood #EatGood
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Hope Gardens will again come alive and be transformed into a giant kitchen tomorrow, July 27th from 4pm – 11pm.
The list is out as to which of your favourite Chefs, Caterers, Bakers, Farmers, Food Entrepreneurs and Artisans will be there! There are so many great options, so how do you choose?! Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle’s Instagram stories (@sugalifestyle) to be reminded of the top picks, but here is Suga’s guide and a few tips!
● Try someone NEW!
If you are a true foodie, you have hit many places on the list more than once, so give someone new a try, but be very selective.
> 2 Yutes (Shawarmas and loaded fries)
> Tacodon
> All Spice Catering & Events’ Food Truck (Their Chicken & Waffles and Pulled Pork Fries look good)!
> Nice cream
***Gambles, but willing to try if menu, food and prices look good***
> Cafe Hibiscus
> Sheriff Gourmet BBQ
● NEW Kids on the Kingston Kitchen Block to try if you haven’t tried them at other Events
> Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead
Outland Hurders will have a Raspberry & Rosemary Grilled Cheese Sandwich that looks salivating!
> Dream Bowls Ja (Delish Acai fruit bowls)
● Places that are usually a hit and worth a try if you haven’t experienced their food before or you just can’t get enough of them!
Spicy
> Lucky Strike Seafood Bar and Grill’s Seafood Bucket
> Jabba’s Peppa Swims
> Stush in the Bush’s Blow Fyah Pepper Sauce
For Curried Goat,
> Chillin’ Restaurant
> Lyming at Walkerswood
Sweet
> Kuk Up Kreations (They now have Salads!)
> It’s Rolly Polly
The leading duo for Vegetarian Gastronomy, STUSH IN THE BUSH will be there and it is a no brainer to stop by and see what they have to offer!
● Small servings that are a bit pricey, but good
> Fromage Gourmet Market
> Pink Apron Ja
***Ladies, wear your fanny packs or a crossover bag and comfortable shoes***
Go early and travel with Cash! Enjoy with your friends and family!
#FortheLoveofFood #EatGood
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The website, Suga Lifestyle was launched in November 2013 by Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga.
Since then, I have been bringing you up to date, exciting reviews of culinary hot spots and hidden gems across the island and even a few international ones too.
I was given the honour and pleasure of being a Food Judge for The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards in 2014 and served as a Jamaica Gleaner Restaurant Week Ambassador by the public’s vote in 2015.
Suga Lifestyle has been known to keep it real, giving honest, yet balanced reviews, taking you through each review line by line, almost letting you feel as if you were there.
Suga Lifestyle has grown a lot since 2013, where it has maintained its goal of intending to inspire, educate and entertain via various types of posts categorized by; GW Art,
Restaurant Reviews and Ratings, Brand Jamaica, Charities, Health and Fitness, Sports and more. The blog, currently has a reach of over 1,500 followers and grows daily.
To further expand Suga Lifestyle’s reach, I have selected Suga Tasters!
Suga Tasters are Objective, Observant, Adventurous travelers and foodies that support Brand Jamaica. They enjoy taking photos and keeping up to date and in touch with the Culinary industry, the Chefs, Bakers and Caterers that keep it alive and thriving, and of course, hot spots and hidden gems in Jamaica, Florida and Washington DC.
Suga Bears, Suga Babies and Suga Daddies, I present to you, Suga Lifestyle’s Suga Tasters!
As time goes by, you will hear more from them. But first up, is
Craig Fleming!
Suga Taster, Craig Fleming
Craig is a Logistics Specialist, but also a Private Chef. His favourite dishes are Smoked Salmon and Petrossian Beluga Caviar Pizza from Spago in Beverly Hills (USA), Escargots from the Terra Nova Hotel and Pho!
Craig’s favourite places to eat casually out of town are Stush in the Bush, Mystic Thai, Woody’s Portland and Jack Sprat, Treasure Beach.
Craig is even more straighforward than Suga, has Cosmopolitan culinary expertise from travelling, culinary school and various events.
Look out for Suga Taster, Craig Fleming’s Review tomorrow!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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 of Suga Lifestyle with husband, Randy Burgess at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday, May 30, 2019.
The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.
All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.
We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.
One of the salivating Sushi spreads from Rainforest Seafoods.
We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!
Cumin and Honey marinated Lamb Chops from Sandals Resorts International.
They also had a gigantic Sushi spread.
As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.
Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.
Lisa and Chris Binns of Stush in the Bush who walked away with 3 awards including the coveted, ‘Jamaican Restaurant with Outstanding Gastronomy Experience Award’.
Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.
Christina Simonitsch serving Randy Burgess some of her Charred Scotchie Shrimps.
Other Highlights of the night:
Outstanding Caterer Nominee and Jing Shi Award Nominee for Dessert Chef of the Year, Trevanne Donegal, also by the G.H. Mumm booth, with delish Dark Chocolate Truffles.Uncorked’s Charcuterie and Cheese platter spread!The Solomon Gardner Awardee for Outstanding Service, Best Culinary Team Experience Awardee and Norma Shirley Awardee for Restaurant of the Year, Sugar Mill Restaurant at Half Moon Hotel’s succulent Barbeque Jerk Pork Belly!
Did you know?
Half Moon will be opening a Seafood Restaurant this September!
Half Moon’s Seafood Restaurant, Delmare’s Chefs Claudio and Clarfield
A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.
Delmare at Half Moon’s Pan Seared ScallopsGCG Event’s surprise Cocktails, divine and spicy Jackfruit Crème Brûlée. They had delightful Beetroot Banana and Chilli marinated Shrimps on pickled green papaya too!Newbies on the block and Best Food Product 2019 Nominee, Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead Cheese Platter Displays! My tasting plate was quite appetizing.Sweet Obsession Ja’s White Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries by the Johnnie Walker booth!Just a touch of the mouth-watering Desserts at Future Bakery by Jing Shi’s booth!
Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings
Grace Kennedy’s Harbour Wines and Spirits also impressed with their Ménage à Trois selection of Wines and more.
You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.
This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of theCommunities that were selected and awarded:
• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas • Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary • The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay • Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary • Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann
Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.
Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.
Cheers to next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
