How was Jamaica’s 1st Rum Festival and have you Recovered?!

20190311_070103.jpg

Suga thinks that the Jamaica Rum Festival was a success!

I went on the Saturday at about 3:30pm when the sun was out in full force. Imagine I was planning on going earlier. I was disappointed that the seminar times were posted online so close to the day, so failed to plan for them and missed out on available spots. I am sure it would have enhanced my experience even more, but perhaps something can be done next year that may not involve tastings and patrons can be involved.

I was early enough to get my Festival cup though! This was definitely a perk appreciated by patrons. You got back your entry money with that already.

The entrance décor was as real as it could get, taking you on a walk through the cane fields and the history of Jamaican rums via photos and artefacts. Neat cuts of Sugar cane were given away in small paper bags too.

I wish the mist being provided for the Sugar cane was provided for patrons at certain points throughout the festival too, or fans. The heat was hard to bear. Thankfully after a walk around the venue, picking up rum samples from the different sponsors and seeing what was on offer, Kande’s Delights had their delicious ice cream to cool you down. They gave you combo options to get a moist, salivating cupcake from Alex’s Creations too! Those cupcakes are one of a kind.

I am all for Brand Jamaica, but I think if local artisans are to be involved in the festival, they should have products more aligned with the theme of the festival. Perhaps like Street Food Saturdays who had Pepper sauces. Items that persons like to pair with rum or persons who take a liking to rum are likely to purchase.

The CB Food Village was a disappointment. Firstly, there was no card machine by the general line to get tickets. That should have been standard. I believe Rainforest Seafoods was probably the only option on the inside that you could buy from and use a card.

I understand that after drinking all that rum, the food did not have to be gourmet and got the idea behind mostly fried foods etc. to soak up the rum, but I still felt like options were limited and the quality of food put out was not that enticing. For instance, the quality of Pan Chicken in Manor Park is far better than that offered by the Pan Chicken winner that was present. I believe I made a good decision to get the Pork Fries from Tooksie Kay Catering. I got the Fried Chicken tacos from Chilitos too, but I believe Tooksie Kay was probably the best, if not, one of the best options there.

With all of that aside, how was the Rum and Entertainment?! After all, that is what we were there for. Monymusk was the only disappointment. Why was Monymusk giving people straight shots of whites?! Good Lord. Then they wanted you to pay for slushes with no rum in them. Wheel and come again.

Kudus to the other sponsors, Appleton Estate, Wray & Nephew, Charley’s J.B. Overproof Rum and Hampten Estate for coming up with creative 3oz sampler cocktails and mixes that were free. I enjoyed them. Big up Charley’s J.B. Overproof Rum from Trelawny who came with their Sprat and Bammy to soak up that strong cullo cullo a.k.a John Crow Batty!

Bottles and cues were for sale from the different sponsors as well.

The vibe did nice! Uncle Wray was there to mingle with patrons and so was Aunty Joy, Master Blender from Appleton Estate.

IMG_20190309_183820_560.jpg

IMG_20190309_180025_439
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga with Joy Spence, Master Blender of Appleton Estate.

Wray and Nephew did an excellent job with on the spot entertainment, such as mixology competitions. Hosts Sakina Deer and Dufton Shepherd really had the crowd engaged encouraging spontaneous outbursts of laughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the performances that I caught. Wayne Marshall, Dance Xpressionz and Aidonia certainly took us through their expansive catalogue of music and dance throughout the years.

Hope Pastures needs to take better care of those dusty grounds and I wish I got prior notice to consider carrying a chair, because once you are there you are likely to stay till the very end! Kudos to the organizers for creating such a memorable, local experience. Looking forward to the next one! #SugaEndorsed

20190311_060100
Suga with husband, Randy Burgess at the Jamaica Rum Festival last Saturday, March 9, 2019 (Photo: Kirk Wignall)

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

TGIF! Jamaica Rum Festival Starts Tomorrow!

20190305_025733.jpg

Are you ready?! The greatly anticipated Jamaica Rum Festival begins tomorrow! A festival that should walk us through the history of Jamaican rums via photos, artefacts and a sensory experience.

Sip Sip Sip! Expect to receive Drink Chits upon entry for your complimentary cocktail and samples from each of the sponsors booths.

20190305_031422.jpg

Seminars and Workshops hosted by Appleton Estate’s Master Blender, Joy Spence and more start from 12:45pm, where you sign in upon entry once spaces are still available.

20190305_023824.jpg

The festival should also be showcasing live music, arts and crafts and other Jamaican made products presented by local artisans, powered by the Tourism Enhancement Fund and of course, food.

20190305_023950
Participating Local Artisans

Patrons will experience the Jamaica Rum Festival Food Court offered by sponsor, CB Foods!

20190305_023747

What have you been waiting for? Get your tickets today!

20190305_025755.jpg

For more information:

Website: www.jarumfestival.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

Save the Date!

Now that last weekend is over, here is something else to look forward to!

20190224_140405

Appleton Estate’s Jamaica Rum Festival will be March 9 – 10, 2019 in Hope Gardens and should be showcasing our country’s excellence in Rum, Food and Music.

Save the Date that you choose to go!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

You have to taste these Coconut Drops!

20180725_091640
Ronetta Crooks-Allen of RSS Naturalll Delites with one of her daughters, Shaunell Allen at Christmas in July, a Tropical Wonderland Trade Show put on by THF at The Jamaica Pegasus last Thursday, July 19, 2018.

Suga visited Christmas in July at The Jamaica Pegasus last Thursday. It was the 4th staging of the event titled, ‘Tropical Wonderland Trade Show’ put on by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (THF). It is a Tourism Linkages Network Initiative showcasing unique Jamaican products available for wholesale and retail by local businesses. Products are usually suitable for Gifts, especially Corporate gifting and Souvenirs.

There were quite a few eye-catching displays, however I was particularly impressed by the invitation and pitch from Mrs. Ronetta Crooks-Allen of RSS Naturalll Delites to try her flavoured Coconut Drops. I am not a fan of Coconut Drops, so I was pleasantly surprised with how appetizing her Cranberry flavoured Coconut Drops tasted. I was even more impressed that it was not too sweet or overpowered by the cranberries. The essence of coconut was still highlighted and quite delightful to the palate.

See Contact Information for RSS Naturalll Delites below to give those Cranberry flavoured Coconut Drops a try! Grater Cakes and other flavours of Coconut Drops are available as well.

Stay tuned to see where these yummy Coconut Drops may pop up in the future too! #BuyLocal

20180725_091701
Yummy Coconut Drops and Grater Cakes from RSS Naturalll Delites #SugaEndorsed

RSS Naturalll Delites

Location: 138 Rhone Park Estate. Old Harbour, St. Catherine. JA. W.I.

Ph: 876.486.7469

Email: [email protected]

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

Screenshot_2015-10-06-15-42-33-1

Video with the Flash mob and other Highlights from JET’s 2015 ICC Day!

Check out the highlights of Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET) 2015 International Coastal Clean Up (ICC) Day Jamaica. There were over 2000 volunteers at Fort Rocky on the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston.

The campaign for its theme, #nuhduttyupjamaica was well represented by a Flash mob in partnership with Respect Jamaica, as well as Brand ambassadors, Bella Blair and Dutty Berry.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) sponsored the event, which was successful, as ~9000 volunteered at over 120 beach clean up sites islandwide.

Recycling Partners Ltd. also joined TEF in sponsoring the Palisadoes Strip clean up.

To learn more, go to www.nuhduttyupjamaica.org.

‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ Tanks and T-shirts are available at JET. Get yours today!

Screenshot_2015-10-06-15-42-33-1

Location: 123 Constant Spring Road. Unit 5. Kgn.  8.

(Monday – Friday: 9am to 4:30pm)

See video with highlights from ICC Day Jamaica 2015 here: