Monroe Duncan
Class of 1958
 

Monroe Duncan, an iconic Hampton Roads chef who spent more than five decades in the restaurant business, has died.

Duncan was one of the most recognized chefs in the area. He opened his first restaurant, Suddenly Last Summer, in 1979 in Ocean View. A series of other local eateries followed, including Monroe’s Mocambo, Piranha – An Eating Frenzy, Monroe’s – A Restaurant, and The Lazy Lobster. He cooked and managed at others such as the Chamberlin Hotel, Breezy Point Officers Club, Chappell’s, the Blue Crab and Uncle Louie’s. He also served as executive chef at the Smithfield Inn.

Duncan was in his early 70s and living in Chicago.

“He was a wonderful old soul,” said Sydney Meers, chef and owner of Stove, a restaurant in Portsmouth, who worked closely with Duncan. “We’re going to miss him.”

By Margaret Matray
Virginian-Pilot, June 14, 2014