Chef and Cookbook Author Sharon "Cheri" Ray Kramis
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Sharon's obituary
Sharon Raye Kramis
09-16-1938 to 09-30-2023
Long-time food enthusiast and resident of Mercer Island will be remembered as a sister, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, friend and mentor.
Born in Spokane to Donald and Elsie Lavoy (Mahan). Moved to Seattle where she attended Queen Anne High School and graduated in 1956.
Sharon was an Alpha Phi Sorority sister at University of Washington and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Food Science and Nutrition.
Sharon had a strong desire to follow her passion for food. She moved to Menlo Park, CA and accepted a job at Sunset Magazine as the Food and Lifestyle Editor.
While visiting family in Seattle, she went on a blind date and met the love of her life, Larry Kramis, her late husband. Sharon and Larry wed August 10, 1963. They moved to Mercer Island where they raised three children, Joe, Tom, and Julie.
She attended James Beard's cooking classes in Seaside, OR for seven summer sessions.
Over the years, she mastered a style of her own, focusing on what she called “the best of season,” utilizing fresh and local ingredients from the Northwest.
With this new found knowledge she was excited to share her locavore discoveries with others. She then launched her own cooking school, “Sharon's Kitchen” on Mercer Island.
This ability to share did not stop in the Northwest, she was always willing to share her knowledge and creativity with others from sea to shining sea.
As a food consultant she worked with Nalley Fine Foods to develop their Nalley’s Chilis and Bernstein’s Salad Dressing lines and many other products. A good part of her day revolved around food and bringing people together, "life is a picnic!" From cooking for her family to hosting her men’s cooking classes in her home, she was always available to help and make cooking approachable to everyone.
Sharon wrote a food column for the "Mercer Island Reporter," and published several cookbooks, "Berries," "Picnics" and co-authored "Northwest Bounty" with Schuyler Ingle. She co-authored "The Cast Iron Skillet", "Cast Iron Skillet Big Flavors"and "The Dutch Oven Cookbook," with her daughter Julie Kramis Hearne. Her celebrity took her across the country and abroad to promote her cookbooks and recipes while receiving many accolades.
Sharon continued her food journey as a food consultant developing the recipes for the menu’s at Restaurants Unlimited test kitchen, which included; Cutter’s, Morgan’s Lakeplace, Triples and Palomino’s restaurants.
Sharon enjoyed a long career working with the Anthony’s restaurant family. She was constantly finding fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a bounty of rotating menu items while building relationships with the local producers. Her recipes were often on trend or ahead of the food trends and this was her recipe for success.
She was one of the founding members of Les Dames d’Escoffier, Seattle chapter and an active member of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and the Pike Place Market Foundation.
Sharon had a zest for life and her smile was contagious. She is survived by her three children, Joe, Tom, his two sons, Chase and Cooper, Julie, her Husband, Harker and their three sons Reilly, Konrad and Andrew. She is succeeded by her Parents and her Brother, Mike Lavoy.
Sharon’s Memorial Service will be held at St. Monica Church Friday October, 20th at 11AM.
St. Monica Address:
4311 88th Ave. S.E. Mercer Is, WA 98040
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
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