By Kassidy Watson-Perry, OBX Today
The Outer Banks is currently mourning the loss of local cooking icon Sharon Peele Kennedy who lost her battle with cancer last week on Friday, January 26.
A longtime contributor to radio in the form of fishing reports and a subsequent radio show fittingly titled What’s For Supper With Sharon Peele Kennedy, the Buxton native rose to prominence discussing her passion for preparing traditional seafood cuisines, ultimately cultivating a devout audience that would lead to the publication of her cookbook, What’s For Supper.
It should come as no surprise that Sharon’s passion for cooking was deeply rooted from her upbringing as the daughter of a commercial fisherman who taught her the tricks of the trade in the process of preparing each fresh catch.
Interning for its parent company at the time, I was introduced to Sharon Peele Kennedy at the inaugural Beach 104 Day held in July of 2021 in which I was tasked to assist with photography, videography, and social media management among other tasks.
Showcasing her talents during a live cooking demonstration — one of many that she would host across the area for locals and visitors alike — I was met with a presence just as warm and welcoming as the voice I had been acquainted to listening to on the airwaves growing up.
As if meeting Sharon herself wasn’t memorable enough, a sample of her famous clam chowder truly left it’s mark on myself, as her cooking has done with a multitude of others across the barrier islands.
On behalf of my colleagues, Sharon’s contributions to our stations, including Beach 104, will never be forgotten.