|
GRENADA (AP) - A memorial service is scheduled Tuesday in Grenada for Thomas Pete "Tommie" Darras Sr., a longtime restaurateur who served as chef at the Mississippi Governor's Mansion for 14 years.
Darras, 90, died Saturday in Grenada. The memorial service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Grenada.
Darras, a native of the Greek Island of Skiathos, served as chef at the mansion for Govs. William Winter, Bill Allain and Kirk Fordice.
Winter, a native of Grenada, brought Darras to the mansion in 1980. Darras had sold his restaurant in Grenada and had retired but took Winter up on the offer to come to Jackson and run the food service operation at the mansion.
"He was a great friend and a great chef," Winter said Monday. "I have enjoyed his food in Grenada when he operated some of the best restaurants we every had.
"He and his wife, Melba, were valuable assets to the mansion. They both lived in the mansion with us. They brought to the mansion a level of hospitality that I think was appropriate for that beautiful building."
Melba Darras served as hostess at the mansion.
Darras was born in 1916 and immigrated to America at age of six. His family settled in Chattanooga, Tenn.
From 1943-1978, his food operations in Grenada included the Little Inn near Camp McCain, Central Cafe, Lakeshore Lodge and the Darras Restaurant. He helped build Holiday Inn #1001 and was its first innkeeper.
Throughout his long life, he shared his passion for food and his culinary talents, preparing his original dishes for both hometown folks and notables alike, family members said.
Survivors include his wife, Melba Anderson Darras; a daughter and a son; three grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
|
|
©The Daily Sentinel Star 2007 |
|
|
|