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Suga Experienced Heaven on Earth at Stush & Simo’s Moveable Feast!

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The Scenic Entrance of Stush and Simo’s Moveable Feast displaying the epic Collaboration between Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering along with other Purveyors

Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering joined forces for a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch, titled Moveable Feast, last Sunday, October 8th at Arcadia Great House in Duncans, Trelawny.

Not to be confused with Michele Williams’ Moveable Feast Catering Company that has been in the business in Jamaica for over 10 years, the title of the event was inspired by the title of an Ernest Hemingway novel, A Moveable Feast. Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush loved the title of the novel and deemed it fit for her Brunch collaboration with Christina Simonitsch of Simo’s Bread and Catering. Lisa says she hopes to ultimately move this feast around the island.

With Stush in the Bush based in St. Ann and Simo’s Bread and Catering based in Montego Bay, I thought Trelawny was the appropriate destination for their first collaboration, almost meeting in the middle.

The magic of this Sweet and Savoury event surpassed my high expectations. They both put on a spectacular spread with efficient logistics for their guests to have enough time and space amongst themselves to pick, choose, refuse and then indulge by the luxurious indoor and scenic outdoor seating available. The décor and landscaping of the Great House were tastefully vintage. Exquisite antique furniture, art work and fixtures.

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Arcadia Great House, Duncans, Trelawny (Photo credits: Christina Simonitsch; Craig Anthony Fleming

Four Buffet rooms, an Ice Cream stand and a Pizza station located all around Arcadia Great House, was the equivalent of pure magic.

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The Spectacular spread from Simo’s Bread and Catering (Photo credit: Christine Simonitsch)

My usual faves from Simo’s were present, such as the Mini Cronuts topped with delicious rose and pistachio icing, Mini Pancakes and Crème Brûlée. My favourites from Stush that made their usual cameo appearance were their Blow Fyah and Chimichurri sauce with Crisp Plantain chips, Guacamole sauce, Fyah Grilled Pizza and Passion Fruit and Mango-Lime Vinaigrettes to go with fresh greens sourced from their farm.

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Fresh Farm to Table greens, Vinaigrettes, Spreads, Sauces, Salads, Ceviche and Chips from Stush in the Bush (Photo credit: Tina Davis)

However, the two main items that stood out for me were the Charcoal Blinis with Truffle Aioli, Quail Eggs Benedict and Avo-Daise and the Rum BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork that were the definition of divine, intricate perfection.

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Other highlights for me were the Quinoa Pilaf, Pimento Pickled Onion, Pulled Pork, Plantain Ceviche, Chia seed and Coconut Yogurt Parfait, Lemon Pound Cake with Passion Fruit Butter topped off with Vegan Chocolate sauce and my husband did well with the rich, moist Chocolate and Coffee Cake.

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For Salad lovers, the Summer Panzanella with Rosemary Red Stripe Croutons was delish! I was impressed that the flavour of the Red Stripe was not lost in the salad. The Beet Carpaccio with Feta was a great pairing as well.

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Another spread of Pastries from Simo’s Bread and Catering. Food was around every corner.

Keep in mind that nothing is basic with Simo’s. As simple as you would think Chocolate Crisp cookies would be, the touch of salt added brought the taste to a whole new level to enjoy without getting a toothache.

Of course, Mimosas were on tap and the Lemon grass and Ginger Tea served was rich in flavour and absolutely refreshing.

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Radiating smiles from happy guests, Tiffany Simmonds, Gabrielle Burgess, Tina Davis and Craig Anthony Fleming, with one of the main persons responsible, Chef Christina Simonitsch (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)

Lime Meringue Tartlets, Sausage and Cheese Quiche, Ackee and Callaloo Quiche, Spinach and Cheese Frittatas, Herb Roasted Tomato, as well as Almond and Apricot Focaccia with rosemary, Lemon Herbed Mushrooms, Cucumber salad, Herb Loaf, Banana Bread, Buns, Herbed Balsamic Sweet Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Mac n’ Cheese, Roasted Vegetables with fresh Herbs (Beets, Carrots, Pumpkin) were other Brunch delights. Believe it or not, there were actually a few more that weren’t listed.

Stush’s Candid Sorrel Chips were quite interesting too.

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Suga aka Gabby from Suga Lifestyle having fun at Stush & Simo’s Ice Cream Bar

To seal the deal and cool me down after I was fired up from grilled Pizzas and more, was the Stush and Simo’s Ice Cream Bar. I thoroughly enjoyed the Coffee and Avocado Lime flavours. I really should have had them all, but I was pulled away.

Note that quite a bit of the Brunch delights were Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free!

There were a variety of Preserves, Jams, Marmalades and Sauces that complemented their neighbours on the table quite well. For instance, the Jerk Aioli with the Rosemary Roasted Chicken. Some of them were on sale too.

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Preserves, Jams, Marmalades and Sauces on sale from Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)

Simo’s is now doing Honey! It was launched at Moveable Feast.

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Gabrielle Burgess from Suga Lifestyle with husband, Randy Burgess and a part of the pleasant team from Deaf Can Coffee

Purchasing reasonably priced cups of Deaf Can’s Cold Brew and Frappuccino, was the perfect ending to a magical day, which prepped us well for the drive back to Kingston.

Chef Colin Hylton described the event as ‘BEYOND amazing’ and Chef Craig Anthony Fleming, who usually describes the culinary work of Christina Simonitsch as ‘truly first world’ was surely in his element and stated, ‘the brunch selection was beyond perfection’.

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Gabrielle and Randy Burgess having fun with the charming, Chris and Lisa Binns, with Tiffany Simmonds looking on.

Kudos to Chris and Lisa Binns from Stush in the Bush and Christina Simonitsch from Simo’s Bread and Catering, as well as their hard-working team for never compromising on the quality of their gastronomic spreads. Their punctuality, attention to detail, quality control, infectious personality and radiating passion for the love of food is impressive and I felt honored to be apart of their culinary perfection once again.

When and where is the next one?!

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Two of many Buffet Spreads from Stush and Simo’s Moveable Feast. #SugaEndorsed (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)

● Stush in the Bush

http://www.stushinthebush.com/visit

Instagram: @stushinthebush

● Christina M.B. Simonitsch

Location: Montego Bay

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @simosbreadandcatering

Catering, Cooking Lessons & Staff Training

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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This Culinary Collaboration is NOT One to Miss!

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Believe it! I cannot begin to imagine how magical this Sweet and Savoury event should be. My heart started racing instantly when I saw the promotion.

Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering have joined forces for a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch on Sunday, October 8th in Duncans, Trelawny by Silver Sands.

Bookings are under www.stushinthebush.com/visit and fabulous vendors such as Reve Jewellery, Story & Myth, Deaf Can Coffee and more will be joining them.

This event is not one to miss!

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Suga’s Flashback to Stush in the Bush’s Moonlight and Simo’s Bread and Catering and Miel-Meel’s Bottomless Mimosa Brunch a.k.a Heaven on Earth

Early Bird Tickets cost $75USD till tomorrow! Get your tickets now!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Simo’s Bread & Catering Leaves you Fully Satisfied with a Smile on your Face

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.

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Simo’s Bread & Catering’s 190ml Basil Pesto ($1400JMD). Instagram Photo: @simosbreadandcatering

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.

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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.

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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?  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!

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#sugaendorsed

Christina M.B. Simonitsch

Location: Montego Bay

Email: [email protected]

Catering, Cooking Lessons & Staff Training

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Tina’s Healthy Recipe to Dress up Your Breakfast Toast!

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Photo and Recipe By Tina Davis

Ingredients/Method:

Whole Wheat Toast (1 slice)

Simos Bread and Catering’s Basil Pesto

***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

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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

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