Devon House regrets Shirley's passing

The members of the Devon House board, management and staff have expressed their deep regret at the death of Norma Shirley, restaurateur and pioneer of Jamaican cuisine.

In a release yesterday, Carla Seaga, chairman of the Devon House Development Co Ltd, said Shirley was an ambassador of Jamaican culture through television, as a food stylist and in international food exhibitions.

"Perhaps one of her greatest contributions has been her restaurants, which she operated at home and abroad with a devoted clientele," Seaga said.

"Her reputation at home was without equal, as she was indeed a master of culinary delights. Her reputation helped to place Devon House on the map as a must-see attraction."

Seaga said Norma's on the Terrace was a legend and, with the recent redevelopment efforts at Devon House, Shirley was also about to place her indelible stamp on the new Grog Shoppe restaurant.

"Quite apart from her international and local reputation, she was a source of inspiration for all of us at Devon House, which she loved dearly," the chairman said. "Despite her busy schedule, she helped to establish and was a tower of strength for the recently incorporated Friends of Devon House."

Shirley died on Monday after a short illness.

Seaga said the members of the board, management and staff appreciated her contribution to the development of Devon House, and offered their deepest condolences to her family.