Norma Jean Darden has had a long and versatile career in the food and fashion worlds. As a Wilhelmina model, her photos appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Seventeen, Glamour, Ladies Home Journal, Esquire, New York Magazine, Life, Newsweek and The New York Times. She was a favorite model of Essence Magazine and also worked for European magazines, such as Italian Vogue, Italian Bazaar and Elle. Darden is also co-author, along with sister Carole, of the Award-Winning Doubleday book Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine, Recipes and Reminiscences of a Family. The book is a Historical Collection of Family Heritage, including recipes handed down for generations. Today Ms. Darden owns and operates SPOONBREAD INC. which includes SPOONBREAD CATERING, New York’s largest African American owned catering company, and acclaimed restaurant, Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too, right here in Harlem at 366 W. 110 St. O, Oprah Magazine called Darden the “Secret weapon of some of New York’s savviest Party-Givers.”