A new twist on a traditional bun experience

A new twist on a traditional bun experience

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Hot cross buns are a huge part of Holy Week in The Bahamas and there’s a brand-new company shaking things up in the kitchen to add a new twist on an age-old tradition.

The New Duff, the brainchild of owner Kendrick Delaney, was launched a little over a year ago.

The company launched with unique personalized serving size portions of guava duff.

Delaney told Eyewitness News that the business has grown by leaps and bounds since its launch and so his team decided to expand its product offering by embracing the seasonal holiday tradition of hot cross buns.

The team has introduced new flavors like Guava Swirl, Island Coconut, Bimini Raisin and Mixed Candied Fruit.

When Eyewitness News Online arrived at the company’s Colony Estates location the sweet smell of baking pastries greeted us at the front door.

After making our way into the kitchen, where the magic unfolds, we got a first-hand look at how the hot cross bun production line operates.

Deja Burrows, Manager, The New Duff explained that the process is a tedious but enjoyable one.

She said the new flavors have been a hit.

“We offer our duffs in several different flavors and so we wanted to offer the same thing with our hot cross buns,” she shared.

“The response has been great.

“People have been excited and have been ordering the new flavors because they can’t get them anywhere else.”

Delaney explained that the secret behind his company’s fluffy duff selections is an age old Asian tradition that he learned while living in Singapore.

He said that Bahamians have fallen in love with the technique for his new style of guava duff.

“I lived in Singapore for a while and every morning they would have these steamed buns in a basket. So, I thought we could use the same basket to get the steamed texture for our products,” he shared.

“So, we steam ours over hot water in a Chinese basket.”

Delaney and his team managed to coin that same recipe for their hot cross buns as well.

“It’s the same technique with the dough; we are still using a fluffy dough. But, we are baking them for the same traditional taste.”

The young business owner said he is encouraged by the overwhelming response to his new business.

“We’re really excited about everything that is happening with The New Duff,” he said.

“We started making three dozen per week and we now make about 70 dozen per week.

“This is really a new and exciting idea that we launched to provide a fun product for the Easter.”

Delaney said last minute hot cross bun shoppers can visit their company’s page on Instagram and Facebook to place their orders.

 

About Theo Sealy

Theo Sealy is an award-winning journalist who serves as senior broadcast reporter and weekend TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. He has achieved several career milestones, including his work as a field contributor with CNN, his coverage of four consecutive general elections, his production of several docuseries and his Bahamas Press Club Awards win for “Best Television News Story” in 2018.