Table display at Tortuga opening - Contributed

Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake Jamaica Ltd. and Calypso Gelato ice cream have moved to a new home at Spring Gardens, on the Reading Main Road, in Montego Bay.

The new state-of-the-art facility houses a bakery and the production kitchen for Gelato (Italian for ice cream). They are complemented by a Calypso Gelato café and a gift shop.

The joint 10,000-square-foot facility was officially opened at a reception on November 25, and was attended by a host of Montego Bay business, industrial, civic and community leaders.

Businessman Robert Hamaty, founder of the Tortuga Rum Company in The Cayman Islands, and his wife, Carlene Hamaty, opened the plant. Montego Bay building contractor and real estate developer, Pino Maffessanti, and his wife, Daniela Maffessanti - in-laws of the business' managing director, Simonetta Maffessanti - opened the gift shop.

Development

Mr. Hamaty traced the development of the Tortuga brand from Cayman to Montego Bay, and congratulated Simonetta Maffessanti on the success of the venture.

The name 'Tortuga' originated from the original name given to the Cayman Islands, 'Las Tortugas', meaning 'The Turtles'.

Tortuga is now a global brand, after it was founded in the Cayman Islands in 1984 as the Tortuga Rum Company - a special, exclusive blend of Jamaican and Barbadian rum. The rum cake was launched in 1987, using Tortuga rum as the main ingredient.

Custos of St. James, Clarence Nelson, and Mayor of Montego Bay, Noel Donaldson, lauded the new facility as a major thrust in the development of the commercial landscape of Montego Bay.

Managing director, Mrs. Maffessanti, told the opening ceremony the success of Tortuga and Calypso Gelato was due to the cooperation of many people. She thanked her customers, suppliers and staff, and singled out her extended family for their invaluable assistance and support over the years.

Sold islandwide

Tortuga rum cakes are sold islandwide - in supermarkets, gift shops, and at the island's two international airports.

Calypso Gelato can be savoured at three locations in Montego Bay: St. James Plaza on Gloucester Avenue, the Gloucester Ave. Hip Strip across from the pioneer Casa Blanca Hotel, and at the new facility in Reading. Gelato is also available in Negril at the Times Square Plaza. Select restaurants serve Calypso Gelato and Tortuga Rum Cake.