The intoxicating aromas of fried chicken, lima beans and peach cobbler wafted in the air. “We used to have fun being on the island over here…and we just drink and play cards at night because that’s all we had to do to get together. It wasn’t any bar or places open to go so we just go to one another’s houses and talk about the good ol’ days and fun times on the island,” says chef, author and preservationist Sallie Ann Robinson, born on an island only accessible by boat.
Ask her about Daufuskie Island and she beams with pride. Three years ago, she achieved her long-time mission of moving back home after having raised her children and building her successful career while living in Savannah.
What are some of the benefits?
“Peace and quiet. I just love waking up here and having that solitude. I feel like I got all that space to work with. I don’t feel clutter. I’m living on prime property of an ancestor and it reminds me of the way it used to be!” Robinson’s goal is to build a house on her family property. Her grandmother’s house is uninhabitable right now so she stays nearby.
Skinning deer, fishing, crabbing, raising crops, braving hurricanes and knowing the island like the back of her hand was part of growing up for Robinson. “This is what we did. For me it was just really normal,” she said. Her private tour company shows a steady stream of visitors the historic buildings and gorgeous natural setting along the scenic mostly sandy, dirt roads.
Most residents get around in golf carts. When she pulls up in front of her former schoolhouse, she talks about Pat Conroy with deep affection. The iconic author was her grade school teacher, close friend and mentor. She contributed to the recently released tribute Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy.
Sallie Ann Robinson has a lot on her plate in every sense of the word. When at home, she always has something on the stove. And with the release of her new cookbook Sallie Ann Robinson’s Kitchen: Food and Family Lore from the Lowcountry, she is doing private catered events, book signings, conducting lectures and demonstrations and giving interviews in national publications.
Next month, Sallie Ann will be part of a stellar chef line-up in the Daufuskie Island Vibes & Tides event on October 18-20th. The weekend event will benefit the Haig Point Foundation. Click here for tickets and information.
Her two previous cookbooks, Gullah Home Cooking The Daufuskie Way (with foreword by Pat Conroy)and Cooking the Gullah Way, Morning, Noon & Night, are classic Lowcountry favorites. “It’s awesome to meet people on the road. I say there’s so much love and I want them to feel that. I end up getting to know folks because I’ve never met a stranger and, honey, for me, that’s just so powerful.”
Another question she gets asked a lot – what’s wild over here? “I’m the wildest thing you’ll find over here!” she laughs. “I’m feeling everything coming true. I am so thankful. I go to a church here that was actually built by my six generation great-grandfather. Back in the day, it didn’t even show us on a lot of maps…now we need to go off the map!”
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