Several weeks ago, my wife and I were asked to host a wine dinner for about 70 doctors who would be attending a medical conference here in Kingston, Jamaica. After considering our options we thought that hosting this dinner at the recently reopened Grog Shoppe would be a fitting location. We approached Norma Shirley who was more than happy to accommodate our request in this her newest partnership venture.

This was not the first time we were working with the queen of Caribbean cuisine, culinary doyenne Norma Shirley. A few years ago as I attempted to raise the bar on the local wine scene, we partnered with Norma to host a wine dinner at her then location — Norma’s on the Terrace. Working with Norma was somewhat intimidating at first. Your mind is filled with interesting stories from those who have worked with her before while you peer onto her restaurant walls filled with accolades from all over the world. You soon discover that as long as you keep your part of the bargain — her bark was worse than her bite. The event was quickly oversold and an excellent time was had by all.

SNARCCE Dinner

These regular meetings with Norma over the past few weeks were about the final dinner for the Second North American Regional Caribbean Congress on Epilepsy (SNARCCE), an event that saw Jamaica playing host to the top physicians and health professionals involved in the treatment of Epilepsy in the Americas. A number of these doctors are in fact wine lovers and Dr Amza Ali, founding member and current President of the Jamaican League Against Epilepsy, wanted to ensure that all the visiting guests enjoyed their culinary experience here and was delighted that we had the celebrated Norma Shirley on board.

Great Sadness

It was during the week of the planned dinner that we heard the shocking news of the passing of Miss Norms, as we affectionately called her. After consultation with her team, it was decided that the show must go on — Miss Norms would want it no other way.

Fantastic Fare

Denise Bradshaw Norma’s sous chef of over eight years, delivered a fine culinary feast that Norma Shirley would have been proud of. Some members of the kitchen staff said that Norma’s voice could be heard loud and powerful in their heads as they hustled through the preparation and delivered what is perhaps Norma Shirley’s last menu.

Our condolences to Shirley’s family on the passing of this larger-than-life figure from whom I and many more learnt so much.

Chris Reckord – Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. He and his wife Kerri-Anne are part-owners of Jamaica’s only Wine Bar – Bin26 Wine Bar in Devon House, Kingston. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter.com/DeVineWines

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