The Mona Lions visited the residents of George Abraham’s Home in Bryce Hill, August Town on Saturday, April 4, 2020. They provided them with warm meals, bun & cheese and care packages including essential cleaning agents and grocery items.
Kudos to the Lions Clubs for their good deeds, especially in this time of crisis.
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Valley Foundation and the Mandingo Youth Club are hosting a Christmas Treat 2018 Toy drive for the Children of Montego Bay. Please note the drop-off locations: Caricom freight, UWI Mona’s Department of Economics and Social Sciences and Cornwall College’s Staff room.
Donate a toy and share some love this Christmas!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Picante is the event on the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) roster that takes you through a world of hot, zesty flavours.
It was held last Friday night at The Ruins, Mona Visitors’ Lodge from 7-11pm.
Suga arrived early, at about 7:20pm to beat the lines and made her rounds.
Coca Cola had tasty cocktails upon entry. They had a creamy cocktail that suited the ladies and a White Rum mix that the gentlemen like my husband, Randy enjoyed.
Select Brands had sweet wines to cool down the spice and a refreshing Stoli Blueberi Lemonade that was the talk of many patrons for the night.
By the entrance, there was National’s Scotch Bonnet Butter Cheddar Popcorn stand with Popcorn bags by Chef Christian Sweeney. It was finished in no time. As usual, he created delightful bites to please the crowd.
Chef Sweeney also had a menu of Spicy Chicken with Grilled Corn and Chick Peas Salsa. Thankfully it tasted better than it looked. Congrats Chef Sweeney, it was Picante. For those who returned later in the night like myself, Pan-seared Tuna was served instead of the Chicken with the Chick Peas Salsa and it was just as delightful.
Chef Shea Stewart had a menu of spiced Snapper with a Jalapeño, Chili and Scotch Bonnet infused Risotto, however the outcome was mild. The presentation was poor, but it was quite tasty nonetheless.
Chef Shea Stewart’s Spiced Snapper en Papillote with Scotch Bonnet Butter served with Jalepeño and Chili Pepper infused Risotto Scotch Bonnet.
Chef Dennis McIntosh did a tasty seafood dish, but it was mild as well.
Chef Dennis McIntosh’s spicy Caribbean Seafood Au Gratin.
Broken Plate’s dish was delicious and flavourful with a touch of spice, but I was still waiting on another dish to make me say, ‘Picante!’.
Broken Plate’s Mustard Chili Pesto Rubbed Pork Loin with Crispy Bacon Orzo Pilaf topped with Asian mixed greens and Arugula Salad
Disappointing booths for the Night
Before I get to outstanding booths for the night, the majority of Chefs produced impressive dishes. However, there were two disappointing dishes for me. One was definitely worse than the other.
The Cliff Hotel’s Chef Jonhoi Reid’s Mojo Braised Pork topped with Crispy Pork Belly with Black Bean Corn Yuca Cake, Smoked Scotch Bonnet Salsa Verde, Jalapeño Pico de Gallo and Cilantro Crema.
Chef Jonhoi Reid from the renowned Cliff Hotel in Negril was very personable, but had a sloppy display with Pork that was difficult to chew. I was excited to see Pork stacked on Pork, but the outcome was disappointing. The Black Bean Corn Yuca Cake didn’t save the dish for me, but was quite palatable beneath it all.
I observed that they were serving persons up to 11:20pm, when most Chefs left or packed up. Having so much food left may underscore my thoughts.
Then there was Walkerswood featuring Guest Chef from overseas, Patrick Simpson and UTECH. Sad to say, but it was the worst of the night. The Peppa Shrimp with Curried Vegetable Succotash was spicy a.k.a Picante, but the Pulled Jerk Chicken was terrible. Perhaps, Chef Simpson is unfamiliar with Jamaican sauces, but that sauce did not complement the Pulled Jerk Chicken well at all. It wasn’t spicy and it overpowered it completely.
Walkerswood featuring Chef Patrick Simpson and UTECH’s Grilled Peppa Shrimps with Curried Vegetable Succotash (Top); Pulled Jerk Chicken on Bammy Round with Pickle Escallion Relish (below); Solomon Gundy Crostini topped with Roasted Corn and Tomato
Winners of the Night for Suga!
Suga had an overall winner, but there wasn’t only one winner for me, there were five Chefs who absolutely brought it to Picante!
Oji Jaja! Best Shrimp of the NightÂ
Chef Oji Jaja had Seared Scallops, but the hit with most patrons was the Seared Shrimp with roasted pepper Scotch Bonnet sauce and Micro Basil. It wasn’t spicy, but was the best Shrimp of the night for Suga.
Chef Oji Jaja’s Seared Shrimp with roasted pepper Scotch Bonnet sauce and Micro Basil
Spiciest dish of the Night!
The spiciest dish of the night hands down went to Chef George Matthewsof Summertime Villa (Silver Sands, Trelawny; also cooks at Tryall). I couldn’t even say or scream Picante. My running eyes and nose said it all. Mission accomplished Chef Matthews.
Chef George Matthews’ Thai Chili Shrimp with Breadfruit poppers.
Culinary Showman of the Night
Chef Mark Cole from The Jamaica Pegasus cooked with a lot of flare, literally. He cooked two dishes, including a stuffed spicy Potato, but he had one of the two longest lines of the night for his Picante style Salmon Hash. It’s jalapeno salsa made you say, Picante and it was delish! Bravo.
Chef Mark Cole of The Jamaica Pegasus being quite a showman at Picante last Friday night.
Chef Mark Cole’s Menu:
The Best Dish at Picante
The other long line of the night with foodie, Sean Morgan looking on was for…
Drum roll…
Chef Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush serves up Suga her Picante dish, while husband, Chef Christopher Binns was on the grill.
For the Second year in a row, Stush in the Bush wins at Picante for Suga. We all know you can’t help but love Chris and Lisa Binns and the unique, savoury, delightful food they consistently produce, but without bias, although Chef Mark Cole came close, their dish was the best overall at Picante. Their dish made you hot and cooled you down at the same time with pickled watermelon radishes and pickled cucumbers.
Snaps for making Vegetarian look good! There were so many flavours and textures on one plate. Absolute perfection. Stush in the Bush showed up once again. Congratulations and Well done.
Stush in the Bush’s winning dish!
Drinks and Desserts!
Other than more drinks provided by the Appleton Estate Bar, desserts provided were a great way to cool off the taste buds.
Sagicor’s booth with Chef Rebecca Karram had sweet and spicy treats. She did well. I enjoyed all of her desserts. The Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookie with a Chai Spiced Milk Shot was a crowd fave.
Chef Rebecca Karram’s MenuChef Rebecca Karram telling us what she prepared for us to enjoy at Picante last Friday night.
Wisynco’s Haagen Dazs Ice Cream booth was buzzing all night with patrons and when the night was over, they had brawta. They served one item from their menu at different points in the night. The items provided an added crunchy texture to the ice cream, with a touch of spice too.
Wisynco’s Haagen Dazs Ice Cream booth Menu Items
Kudos to the organizers and sponsors of Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. ALL events were sold out and from what I heard, patrons enjoyed the majority of the events. Persons were disappointed with the smallest event, Crisp because it had less Chefs.
Jamaicans are a fickle bunch. So after a few successful stagings, I think that JFDF should change things up a bit, and replace Crisp with Seafood, perhaps call it Sea Breeze. It could be by Port Royal for a change of scenery or even in Portland or Ocho Rios. The event has been staged in Kingston for some time, but it is Jamaica Food and Drink Festival.
Looking forward to another great year!
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga by the Haagen Dazs booth at Picante last Friday night at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Article, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Uncork some wine and your creativity to paint for a cause with The New Kingston Rotaract Club in association with Island Strokes on Saturday, August 18th for $4000JMD. Proceeds are in aid of charity, as New Kingston Rotaract Club is a Non-Profit Organization under the youth arm of Rotary. Their motto is fellowship through service.
To purchase tickets or for more information:
Ph: 876-320-1773 (Jhenelle Black)
Follow The New Kingston Rotaract Club on Instagram, @nkrcjamaica and see how you can join the Club, participate or donate to their Projects. Help to Build a Better Jamaica.
One Jamaica. One Love.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Lions Club of Mona providing Eye Screening, Glasses and Blood Pressure checks to fellow Jamaicans at Agro Fest 22 on Saturday, May 26, 2018.
Two weekends ago at the 22nd staging of Agro Fest, the Lions Club of Mona had quite a busy booth. They provided eye screening and eye glasses for what seemed like over 100 persons and also performed Blood Pressure checks and distributed information pamphlets on Health.
Kudos to the Lions Club of Mona!
Lions Club of Mona
Location: 15 Ring Road, U.W.I Campus. Kgn. 7. Ja.
Website: www.lionsclubmona.com/
Instagram: @lionsclubmona
Meetings: 3rd and 4th Mondays at 6pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
As of October 17th this year, KFC Jamaica crowned The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI, Mona) as the ‘Zinger Capital of Jamaica’ due to them having the most Zinger Sandwiches sold in the local restaurant network over the past few years.
Why is the Zinger Sandwich so popular amongst UWI students?
KFC Jamaica believes that Zinger Sandwiches are a convenient choice for young adults and that they get overall satisfaction for its amazing taste and flavour with choices of Hot n’ Spicy, BBQ or the Western Zinger.
UWI Students have expressed appreciation for the Sandwich’s real ingredients, that is, the fact that it is made of 100% real Chicken with fresh Vegetables topped off with melted Cheese that gives it more flavour.
How did KFC UWI show their Appreciation for the Support of the UWI Community?
For a limited time only during KFC Jamaica’s Zinger Promotional period, they upsized Fries and Drinks at certain times and gave away free Zingers on a Friday along with the purchase of a Zinger combo!
KFC decided to show their appreciation even further by awarding a Student with Free Zingers for an entire year after purchasing a Zinger and entering a raffle.
Congratulations to Satina Edwards who won Free Zingers for a Year!
How did KFC give away $400,000 Tuition to a UWI Student?!
Suga has endorsed the fact that KFC has recognized that many students on Campus face financial challenges, so they decided to offer assistance towards their education.
They ran a Social Media Competition via Instagram for their UWI Mona Zinger lovers to rap about the KFC Zinger, shortlisted entries to 10 Finalists and then the Winner with the most likes by November 1, 2017, Kemar DaCosta received a $400,000 Tuition Grant courtesy of KFC Jamaica!
Congratulations to Kemar DaCosta, Winner of the #ForMyZingerChallenge and a $400,000 Tuition Grant!
Kemar DaCosta, student of UWI, Mona rose to the top of the #ForMyZingerChallenge and topped up his UWI, Mona Tuition account with $400,000JMD!
Check out the Talented, Entertaining Videos here for the UWI Mona Finalists on Instagram, @kfcjamaica by clicking on the hashtag,  #ForMyZingerChallenge .
Kudus to KFC Jamaica for helping to Build a Brighter Future for our Children through Education, thus Building a Better Jamaica and Congratulations to UWI Mona, the Zinger Capital of Jamaica!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Spicy Doubles, is set up in a tuck shop situated in Irvin Hall at UWI, Mona. They clearly were not ready for the rush of Restaurant Week and SuGa readers with their meagre servings, counting food items and all, like shrimp in a ‘Chiny’ shop. The food was good but not worth the price.
