Posted: 02/16/06

A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006, at 10 a.m. in Tampa, Fla., for James Allen Graham.

Friends are invited to join the family and honor his life at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille, 11935 Sheldon Road in Tampa. Chef Graham died suddenly from an accident on Friday, Feb. 10, in St. Augustine, Fla.

Survivors include his wife, partner, and best friend, Linda; his children, Adam, Amy, and Alex; his parents Gerald and Mary Louise Graham of East Helena; brothers Doug (Linda) Graham and Paul (Beckie) Graham of Helena; and sister Janet (Don) Gies of Belgrade.

James Allen Graham was born in Butte on Aug. 19, 1960, and raised in East Helena. He began his worldly travels and curiosity for creating innovative cuisine at an early age. His natural cooking talent led him to serving as chef to the Admiral in the United States Navy. After receiving an honorable discharge, he met his wife, Linda, while both were working in the restaurant industry in St. Augustine, Fla.

With the nouveau explosion of "Cajun cuisine," James' inquisitive nature lured him to seek employment in Lafayette, La. His passion and focus on gastronomy was history making in the evolution of French Acadian cuisine. Chef James worked diligently to raise the level of culinary competition to new heights. He was a role model for educating chefs on food and its presentation while encouraging them to always set goals and present their greatest work. The evidence of following his own discipline remains with the hundreds of professional medals -- many for "Gold" and for "Best of Show" -- that James won in regional and national competitions. The chatter among his peers during these competitive venues resonated throughout the area -- "We want to beat Chef Graham." When asked about his life as a chef, he stated confidently, "I prefer to be known as a food scientist." He was currently Corporate Chef for Harry's restaurant chain in Florida.

James lived to hunt -- often spending weeks alone tracking the ultimate wild beast. The combination of wild game, fish, and gastronomic creations transformed into his lifelong dream -- The Fish and Game Grill -- a restaurant with accolades that is part of his memory.

Chef Rôtisseur James Allen Graham joined the Lafayette Bailliage, Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a gastronomic society that originated in Paris in 1248. He was inducted into Brillat-Savarin-a sub-society of the Chaîne-as one of 116 Fondateurs. Following his leadership in the inaugural Brillat-Savarin event in Lafayette, 2001, James received the Médaille de Mérite for outstanding service in the culinary industry. He was only the third honoree to receive this award and remains one of only four honored.

His legacy will continue wherever chef James Allen Graham made his mark and transformed the way cuisine is prepared and presented.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chef James Graham Fund for Culinary Scholarships, c/o Bank of America, 2135 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086.

Condolences may be sent to www.ChefJamesGraham.com Web site or LaSpicy@aol.com.

Arrangements by Craig Funeral Home, St. Augustine, Fla.