Mayan_Dvash – Some women put honey in their cholent, and it comes out delightfully delicious. so it could the same reason why this woman put syrup in it. For some reason the honey gives it this extra zing. My sister (who has been making cholent for over 20 years) sometimes puts honey in it.
As for the potato kugel, if you saute the onions first before adding it to the potato mixture, the kugel comes out so yummy! I hate onions, but for some reason when I make it like this, the onions actually taste good!