“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in a most delightful way!” shared Julie Andrews in the classic 1964 musical fantasy Mary Poppins.
Fast-forward to Monday, March 18 and the Mother’s Cafe at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), where the Mother’s Enterprise Limited executives have incorporated not only sugar but, according to Managing Director Sheldon Seymour, tantalising menu offerings from their suite of eateries, notably Mother’s, Devon House Bakery, Pimentos, and M Catering, under one roof, 24/7, to afford the UHWI community”a safe, invigorating space to have lunch, rest between procedures or during a long day… It would also provide for visitors and patients a place where they can be refreshed while at the hospital to take care of themselves or loved ones”.

Indeed, with design-and-build options, by Luna IDEATION, 4,000 sq ft of an underutilised space were converted into an oasis in the middle of the UHWI. The stunning red logo of the Mother’s brand jumps out at you as you make your way along the corridor. The café is located adjacent to the Dialysis Centre on the second floor.

Formalities handled with aplomb by event host Debbie Bissoon included greetings from Mother’s Enterprise Limited Chair Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence. “The opening of this [UHWI] store marks a new chapter in our journey, one that extends from the warmth of our renowned Jamaican hospitality, extending to all the corners of the globe. As we continue to grow, our essence remains rooted in the values of excellence, community, and innovation. We are committed to being a beacon of quality and a source of pride for Jamaica, demonstrating the universal appeal of our culinary heritage,” he said.

And from the managing director, “The café brand allows us the flexibility of adding the culinary templates of our Devon House Bakery, Pimentos, Mother’s and M Catering, to tailor an experience required to fit any space.

“This is what we have done here at UHWI. Providing a space for the hard-working doctors, nurses, administrators, and support team to take a break between procedures and long hours”.

Giveaways out of the way, guests were encouraged to enjoy the evening’s offerings of:

Pineapple Cranberry Salad – Pimentos

Spicy Tuna Wrap – M Catering

Beef Sliders – M Catering

Cocktail Devon House Patties – Devon House Bakery

Chicken, Fish and BBQ Pork

Sweet Chilli Chicken – Inspired by the Mother’s Menu

Jerk Pork – M Catering

Strawberry Cheesecake – Devon House Bakery

Oreo Parfait – Devon House Bakery

Bread Pudding – Devon House Bakery

Mother’s Easter Bun – Mother’s Bakery