Culinary doyenne Norma Shirley leaves a lasting legacy that had long caught the attention of the world’s most celebrated media. Thursday Food delved into its archives to find stories that reflected her culinary achievements including her interaction with both American and Canadian Food Network.

In Jamaica filming last week was the crew from Cooking Live Prime Time with Sara Moulton. The film crew came to Jamaica to get a real taste of the island through the eyes of our own celebrated food stylist, Norma Shirley.

Some of the many stops included Papine Market, Patrick Sibblies’ coffee estate in St Thomas, Tweedside Food Processors on Dumbarton Avenue and Island Grill where crew got a taste of real Jamaican jerk as well as a chance to see how it’s prepared. The Food Page caught up with the film crew and the young, dynamic producer of this show, Irene Wong, during filming at Island Grill.

That at age 26 Irene Wong is a veteran in television production seems incredible.

A petite, well-toned, calm Asian-American, Irene spent five years at ABC, worked with the great one herself, Martha Stewart, and is now in the hot seat as producer of Cooking Live Prime Time with Sara Moulton, executive chef at Gourmet magazine. Her programme which is a one-hour show, airs Monday-Thursday and features two to three chefs in a kind of open-house-type setting.

August 17 saw the focus on the Caribbean. To be more explicit, Jamaica and her cuisine through the eyes of Norma Shirley.

Famed food historian, Jessica Harris, recommended Norma Shirley and Irene Wong made the necessary telephone calls. I had actually spoken to Irene Wong from New York a month ago with some suggestions as to how she might want to work the visit and to paint a picture of some of the places. Catching up with her was therefore very easy and we spoke like long-lost friends. Time was against us so we “cut to the chase.”

“The intention of the programme,” explained Irene, “…. is to demystify Jamaican cuisine. To bring it closer home and to encourage viewers to want to be part of this great food. One of the goals of the Food Network is to show the fascinating foods that are offered throughout the world. “There are thousands of ingredients, cuisines and flavours just waiting to be discovered. Caribbean food is certainly one area that is often overlooked — perhaps never taken seriously,” she continued. “So if we can dedicate at least one hour on Caribbean cuisine and expose people to the wonderful flavours, hopefully we will awaken their taste buds and motivate them to cook this food… or at least try it. And depending on the response we get, who knows we may be doing more segments that will continue to showcase the vibrant spices and flavours of the Caribbean . . . .”

Irene went on to explain their choice of Norma Shirley. “Spending a couple of days with her, we discovered that she is not just a master chef in the kitchen, but a woman who is passionate about food and more importantly, dedicated to teaching others on what Caribbean food is,” Irene related. “Her energy is endless. Her spirit captivating. She excites you about food. She makes you hungry for the freshest and the best ingredients. But underneath all of that is a woman who just wants you to eat well.”

The Food Page could not have said it any better. Of course, we did not miss the opportunity to invite Irene back to Jamaica albeit for selfish reasons — to The Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

Our large, and perhaps not-so-large companies, involved in exporting food need to look at such networks to position their products. To advertise is expensive so there is need to pool resources but always look at the larger picture. The Food Network is viewed by millions and there is definitely an interest in Caribbean cuisine.

Did we just say that there is an interest in Caribbean Food?

You might have noticed that Brunswick Sardines have gone Jerk! Available at all supermarkets at a cost of $27. This is not quite Jamaican jerk (it’s made in Canada) but I’m sure you get the picture!!

— as published in the Jamaica Observer, Thursday, August 19, 1999

At The Table With…

Is an intimate and exclusive all-access pass into the hearts and minds of some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and food industry stars At The Table With… aims to put the viewer there in the subjects’ heads and in their kitchens, where pressure and passion are their very lifeblood, hard work and innovation their most indispensable tools. Chefs include: Susur Lee, Martin Picard, Daniel Boulud, Rob Feenie and Marcus Samuelsson. Jamaica’s own Norma Shirley has been added to this celebrated list.

The red herring production crew of writer/director Eric Geringas and cameraman Stefan Randstrom for The Canadian Food Network arrived in Jamaica last week from Miami where they interviewed Shirley’s son Delius and Ortanique (restaurant) chef Cindy Hutson. In Jamaica, the crew followed Shirley around at her Devon House restaurant Norma’s on the Terrace, to her school with her students, to Norma’s at the Marina (Portland) to JoJo’s market, to Miss Mae at Hellshire and to her home Thursday night where she hosted her closest friends to dinner. SunDay Cuisine shares highlights: The setting

Tables were spread in Shirley’s cosy courtyard with guests sitting where they wanted and on seats ranging from armchairs to formidable period pieces. Glorious bursts of colour came from lavendar, white and yellow chrysanthemums and a giant bowl of mixed coloured gerberas.

The menu

It seems ever so redundant to state the obvious, but the dinner menu was superb. What we ate… The freshest of green salad complete with fennel, jackfruit, endives and mixed greens.

Ceviche of yellow tail snapper.

Duck breast served on curry sauce with sweet potatoes.

Roast loin of pork larded with spinach, prunes and raisins soaked in rum glazed with tamarind and served with carmelised lychee and stem ginger.

Jasmin rice in coconut milk and basil.

Dessert: Poached pears Chocolate mousse Local fruit tart

— as published in the Jamaica Observer, Sunday, February 3, 2008