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Cape restaurant community mourns Palma Salerno

Popular bartender, server known for kindness, friendship
July 31, 2018

Cape Region’s restaurant community lost a dear friend with the death of Palma Salerno July 29.

At the time of her death, Palma worked at Egg, Crust & Craft and The Edge.

Cape local Billy Moss met Palma when she moved to the beach about age 20. They worked together at The Edge, and had many mutual friends through jobs at Espuma and Nage.

“She was a true gem of a person, just a ray of sunshine,” Moss said. “She was always smiling. She had such a great smile, and you’d rarely ever catch her in the dumps.”

Moss said Palma was an only child adopted by a Sicilian couple. He said they lived in Frederica, and Palma was a high-school cheerleader.

Cape grad and chef Jimmy Parks knew Palma for nearly 20 years.

“The restaurant community lost a legend this week,” he said. “Palma was a treasure, the kind of friend who always made you feel at home, happy, welcome and loved with one of her signature Palma hugs. Her smile could light up a room. The whole beach community will miss her dearly, but her love, energy and light will live on through all of us.”

Bonz executive chef Ryan Cunningham met Palma when they both worked at Nage, and said she always strived to do her best at anything she did.

“Palma was the most genuinely kind person I’ve ever met, and it was an honor and pleasure to consider her a very close friend,” he said. “She could brighten your day just by flashing her smile. Her positive impact on so many of us in the hospitality industry is amazing and her spirit will definitely live on with all of us. So many good people are hurting because of her passing, but the good thing is we are all there for each other.”

Rehoboth Foodie Bob Yesbek posted an online tribute to Palma that said, “To all of us in the foodservice industry here at the beach, foodservice professional Palma Salerno's smile, enthusiasm and kindness carved out a place in our hearts than can never be filled.”

 

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