Norma Elise Shirley was last week honoured by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston in association with (J Wray & Nephew’s) Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin as a Woman of Excellence – a Grand Dame in cuisine! She was among five women awarded in their fields for outstanding contribution to Jamaica.

In a citation read to her, she was told that her creative talent was her unique fingerprint. A person who discovered what she loved and made a magnificent contribution to the society…

“You have given glorious expression to the wonders of Caribbean cuisine. You have presented for the eye and the palate your mastery of culinary possibilities. You have perfected the art of fine dining as you have allowed the energy of the universe to lead you,” the citation read.

“You have been guest chef at ‘culinary art extravaganzas’ in Hawaii, Washington DC, Florida, New York, London, Barbados and Jamaica. Over the past 15 years you have been featured in several high-profile international and regional magazines including Travel and Leisure, Vogue London, Vogue New York, Food and Wine, Brides, MACO, Conde Nast Traveller, and The New Yorker.

You were celebrity chef for Bon Appetit’s Caribbean Cruise and Chef Extraordinaire for birthday celebrations of the international stars and entrepreneurs seeking unforgettable experiences! You have been a featured speaker in many international fora. You have been featured presenter on the Discovery Channel and on the Food Network.”

Norma, described as a daughter of Jamaica, is said to have expanded the reach of this little isle. “Julia Child of the Caribbean”, “Grand Dame of Caribbean cuisine” are but two of the distinguished titles bestowed on her.

“Your daring and adventurous spirit inspired your creation of Norma’s on Belmont Road, your pioneering restaurant in Jamaica. You then launched Norma’s at the Wharf House in Montego Bay to which were attracted the rich and famous who graced the shores of your island home. Your return to Kingston after six years was to mark the beginning of an even more intensive period in your culinary exploits,” the citation reads.

“Norma’s at the Marina, Norma’s on the Beach in Negril and the internationally acclaimed Norma’s on the Terrace at Devon House, highlighting traditional Jamaican ingredients in new and interesting ways, they have all earned the reputation of “dining at its best”. You have also been recognised at home for your outstanding talent and your role in showcasing Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine – the Chairman Award at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica’s Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts.

“Norma, your passion for simplicity, elegance and difference was honed during your marriage to a husband who was a gourmet and for whom each meal had to be a dining experience. You were challenged to experiment and to find exciting ways to titillate his eyes and his palate! How well those years have served you, and the genes have been passed to your only son who too has developed an international business enterprise in “Cuisine Extraordinaire” through a chain of restaurants in the USA specialising in Caribbean fusion food and beverage and taking its name from the delectable fruit developed in and exported from Jamaica – the Ortanique.

“Norma, you are now documenting your journey of Life in the Food Lane and are collaborating on the publication of The Book of Jamaica: A Culinary Quest – both to be published by MacMillian’s of London.

“Nurse, Entrepreneur, Restaurateur, Nutritionist, Stylist, Trainer, Designer, Mother, Traveller, and Fun-loving Friend – the glory of your creative expression is inscribed on a tableau of national and international fame. You have exemplified the words of Isak Dineson: Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost”.

“Norma, you have done your ‘utmost’. You have expanded your territory in ways deemed unimaginable.

“The Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin salute you as a Woman of Excellence – You are truly a Grand Dame.”

Editor’s Note: We too are truly privileged to have had Norma Shirley’s expertise as we developed and continue to develop the Food section of this newspaper and as a consultant for our Table Talk Food Awards now in its 10th year. We wish you, Norma, many more years of culinary whiz .