South Carolina’s Edisto Island community and the larger culinary world lost a beloved keeper of historic African American foodways last week as Gullah Geechee elder Emily Meggett passed away at age 90. Carrying the lineage of Gullah Geechee culture, Meggett’s remarkable cooking contributions supported the preservation of the rich food traditions, language, and music of a recognized National Heritage Area. Meggett documented her amazing legacy last year with the publication of Gullah Geechee Home Cooking (Abrams), a New York Times best seller that was just nominated for a James Beard Award. She is survived by eight children and more than 65 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was a truly special woman and will be dearly missed.