Cecil Palmer was more than a fine chef; he was embraced as a much-loved member of New Orleans’s music and festival community. Born in Race Course, Jamaica, he brought the flavors and warm attitude of the island nation to his adopted hometown. Cecil Palmer, who immigrated to the United States in 1973, died on Friday, April 5, 2019, at the age of 74.

Palmer, as he was always simply known, was most recognized for his years...