Tributes from some of those who experienced the magic of culinary doyenne Norma Shirley flooded our Thursday Life inbox; today we share with you their thoughts on the passing of a Jamaican icon.

The Revolution was Televised!

Those people who don’t know don’t know, of course, but it was Norma who revolutionised FOOD in Jamaica.

Food styling, presentation, innovation, fusion… that is what Norma introduced to the Jamaican consumer.

A meal was not just about ‘a plate of food’, it was to be an experience to delight all the senses -taste, sight, touch… If possible it was to be taken to the next level; it was to approach the sublime. She was an inspiration to this generation of Jamaican foodies … the “eminence” behind the Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

That is not to say, as many people may think, that her expectation of fine dining and good food was limited to Villeroy & Boch China and Baccarat crystal. Not at all. Last year, we had Christmas dinner at Hellshire, at Miss Mae’s. Fried fish and champagne. Sublime!

That was my Norma!

— Sonia Mills

Culinary Coach

My association with Norma Shirley goes back to the mid ’80s as a customer of her Belmont Road restaurant and I remained a loyal customer of Norma’s for close to 25 years. However, my fondest memories of her come from serving on the panel of judges for the Jamaica Observer Food Awards with our grand dame of culinary excellence.

Of course, serving with Norma really meant that you were apprenticed to Norma and learning all things culinary as she explained and coached on the intricacies of haute cuisine. While our meetings were generally fun and even boisterous, occasionally Norma would belt out a “Don’t be silly!” or “Don’t be daft!” in response to some unsuitable comment of another judge. Her impatience on occasion even extended to some unlucky customers whom she would scold for inappropriate behavior.

Norma was a stickler for excellence and contributed immensely to raising the standards of culinary fare in Jamaica and exposing Jamaican cuisine to the world. I will miss her. Walk good Ms Norms.

— Peter Bunting

Catching Up @ the Coffee Club

My friend ‘Norms’ will be missed by many people across this country, the region and the world; however, her absence will be particularly painful for a small band of friends, members of the “Coffee Club”. Over the years, she regaled these friends and their guests with her “fractured stories,” as they met for coffee on Saturday mornings, at Sonia Mills’ house, to catch up with their respective endeavours, and solve the problems of the world.

From her early days at Belmont Road, I admired Norms’ food expertise; however, it was her ability to “re-invent” herself and teach others, which inspired me. She demanded excellence. She was brusque with employees, even as she taught them to be better waiters and chefs. And, despite that, she loved them…foibles and all.

I particularly liked the fact that Norms loved all levels of Jamaican foods. She was at home, whether in the grandeur of a ritzy diplomatic dinner, or having fish at Hellshire Beach. And, of course, she would produce a bottle of fine white wine, and wine glasses to accompany the fare at Hellshire.

For me, Norms’ culinary expertise will live on in the book, Nyam Jamaica, a tour around the island, which regales Jamaican cuisine, fine dining, and celebrating with food, written by Rosemary Parkinson, with photos by Rosemary and Cookie Kinkaid, which is definitely a tribute to Norma Shirley’s appreciation for the diversity of Jamaican foods.

Fortunately, she has passed on some of her cuisine art to others; but, personally, I will miss her upbraiding, “Tips…why weren’t you at…such and such…an event?”

— Carmen Tipling

Fast Life in the Food Lane

‘A biography of a Fast Life in the Food Lane’ is only part of the title of a book that Norma and I embarked on. It was not easy getting her to sit with me for more than a few hours at a time. I had to learn when one more question would bring on “Enough! You not finish wid dis’ book yet ‘maddie’? All now so it should be in bookstores. I gone to my bed…feeling arthritic…honey, bring me a nice glass of water with plenty ice Rosie dahling.” ‘Feeling arthritic’ were words heard often by those she loved to ensure they did whatever she wanted. I will finish this book, in her memory, for Delius her son and, of course, for her homeland and the world that surrounds her beloved Jamaica. But, today, as words of her loss have rendered me almost speechless, I feel the need to share a piece of my author’s note from this same biography to describe how I felt about this true friend and mentor. Words she never read for they were to be my surprise. I knew if she caught wind of them, I would have caught hell. I hear her bellowing down at me at this very instant: “Stop! Stop, right now! You too dyamn foolish…you and your words…you c’yant stop writing nonsense?”

I quote: “…it is best to call her an ever-changing raging storm, one that passes over the bustling city of Kingston, swiftly smoothing itself out into a pleasant, playful but vibrant cool breeze over the neighbouring sleepy fishing village of Hellshire. There at the edge of crystal clear waters, walking quietly along its sandy beach, the storm that was once called Norma finally rests easily, her soul finding its own kind of magical solace – a time to recharge for the next onslaught! With that bark and no bite, truth be known, Norma Shirley is above all an island girl. Yes! A girl. Giggly, wicked but, at the same time and in the same breath, a woman of great strength, strong loyalties, hard-headed convictions whose heart can melt at the turn of a leaf in distress; whose motherliness is shown in her undying love for her son Delius; whose deep feelings for those she calls friends and those she admires, are engraved on Jamaican stone. But, it is Norma who deserves all the admiration in the world for more than just being Norma. In her own very creative way, she has fought for her culinary independence like a liberator fighting for the land of her forefathers, and in so doing, has made a deep mark in Caribbean cuisine, a mark that will be recorded in the minds of every Caribbean and international Chef faced with taking island traditional food ‘up a notch’.”

I cannot say goodbye. But I can now shout loudly at you Miss Norma! “Hello! I will have the last word. So you go cook up a storm in Heaven, the angels need feeding good Jamaican nosh!”

— Rosemary Parkinson

Norma, the Nationalist

Jamaica has lost one of its most patriotic daughters in the person of Norma Shirley. Her love for our country kept her here, although international fame could have taken her to foreign lands, to capitalise on her talents in the culinary arena.

Her love for Jamaica, its food and people, made her want to put the Nouvelle Jamaican cuisine on the map as she recognised the treasures we have here.

Her extensive knowledge gleaned from her travels far and wide in the areas of food, fine living, decor and the Arts was unselfishly shared with those with whom she came in contact; even her competitors. Her desire to contribute to the growth in these areas through tourism, never materialised. She was prepared to contribute her services, purely for the advancement of her country and her only remuneration would have been the betterment of Jamaica.

Although she is no longer with us, I hope the powers that be will posthumously confer on her, a well deserved National Honour, as the first internationally acclaimed Jamaican chef.

May her soul rest in peace.

We will miss you, my dear and loyal friend.

— Laurel deMercado

Cuisine Queen

Norma’s culinary prowess was nothing short of amazing — a fact that became more pronounced to me back in 2007 when I had the privilege of participating in her cooking classes.

It was here that I developed a true understanding of who this Caribbean cuisine queen really was.

Forthright and funny, dismissive and encouraging all at the same time, Shirley was a wonderful oxymoron. Someone who left me in awe at every turn (forever etched in my mind is how she handled a sizzling chicken breast with her bare hands) and who relentlessly sought to develop the next generation of which I am a part.

— RH