Bahamas News
AWARD-WINNING BAHAMIAN PEPPER SAUCE SPICES UP ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY
Cherelle Cartwright with one of her popular pepper sauces
NASSAU, March 3, 2023 – Mamma Sassy’s Papaya Medley Pepper Sauce is spicing up Royal Caribbean International’s private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. The award-winning sauce created by small business owner and Bahamian Cherelle Cartwright makes its debut on the island in the popular Captain Jack’s restaurant.
From the bustling street markets of Nassau to the private destination in the Bahamas, Bahamian Cherelle Cartwright’s sauce debuted on the island just a few months after scaling the small business for mass production through the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre Grant Program funded by the cruise line.
Cartwright’s journey from home chef to budding business owner propelled her to new heights after winning a pepper sauce competition open to small businesses in the Bahamas in October 2021 and receiving funds to expand her business through the program. “I could never have done this without the continuous support of the team from Royal Caribbean,” said Cartwright. “It was a journey and they were with me every step of the way. I can’t say enough good things about them, how they cared and the constant attention, calling to see how I was doing, encouraging me, encouraging my product, they were behind me 110%. When the lumps and bumps came up, they were there for me, they were wonderful.”
Royal Caribbean International and The Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre combined resources to launch the Royal Caribbean Programme in July 2021, which administers US$500,000 in funding and training opportunities to support small businesses in the tourism sector on New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Berry
Islands. The company provided an initial contribution of US$250,000, equally matched by the Access Accelerator. The cruise line invested an additional US$250,000 in 2022 to help incubate small businesses and bring additional jobs to the community. The program provided Cartwright with access to a business manager who assisted her in scaling up production to meet the demands of a mass market. The funds she received enabled her to test five products in an FDA-approved lab for nutritional data.
“Our guests seek authentic experiences when traveling and this initiative has allowed us to continue to deliver those experiences while uplifting the communities that share their culture with us,” said Russell Benford, vice president of government relations for Royal Caribbean Group. “Cartwright’s success with Mama Sassy’s Pepper Sauce exemplifies how the determination of an ambitious small business owner attributed by the opportunity presented by the Royal Caribbean Programme can change lives. We are excited about this new partnership with Mama Sassy’s and look forward to supporting other small businesses to achieve their goals.”
Captain Jack’s is touted as the best place to spend time like a local while enjoying live music, salty sea breezes and amazing food and drinks at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Mama Sassy’s Papaya Medley Pepper Sauce joins an assortment of signature sauces on the la carte menu complimenting a crowd favorite, the crispy golden chicken wings.
Photo Captions:
Header: Mama Sassy’s assortment of pepper sauces…ready to spice up your palate
1st insert: March 2023 – Mama Sassy’s award-winning Papaya Medley Pepper Sauce, which won Royal Caribbean’s Pepper Sauce Competition in the Bahamas, finds a home at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
2nd insert: It’s spicy hot..but delicious! Staff enjoying Mama Sassy’s pepper sauces at Perfect Day at Coco Cay
3rd insert: Help yourself to Mama Sassy’s pepper sauces now available for guests at Captain Jack’s restaurant at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at Coca Cay.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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