A travel and tourism magazine for permanent and vacationing residents of Corolla, Outer Banks, North Carolina
24/06/2022
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2179487478892188&id=258456127662009
Such sad news. John was a friend and we are all devastated at his loss. Praying for all his loved ones
Such an unusual experience I had today, when I got caught up in the most intensely crowded snarl of vehicles and tourists while driving past Agave Roja in Corolla.
The catalyst was an overcast Thursday when virtually every person on the northern Outer Banks decided to forgo the beach and venture out to shop and dine.
I was just getting off from work and while I would have loved one of my favorite meals on the Outer Banks, those spicy Caribbean styled shrimp tacos at Agave, I could not venture into this great restaurant.
Two days ago and I still cannot wrap my head around the sudden passing of my great friend, excellent chef and Agave owner John Marmann.
I slowly drove by to have lunch at the opposite end of the building, choosing a Philly cheesteak instead. Just not ready to sit at the majestic bar that John had built himself over the winter. Where he and I had so many cool conversations with a range from the Outer Banks to the Virgin Islands and beyond.
I've had so many people tell me that the best part of creating Outer Banks Beyond must be the enjoyment of such an amazing array of delicious foods. Admittedly, that is an amazing perk. But even that doesn't compare to my favorite part: getting to know the hard working, extremely smart, and always colorful restauranteurs themselves.
John Marmann was always one of my favorite restauranteurs to share a bar with and to discuss the vast elements of the culinary world. The man truly loved the chemistry, sweat equity, money equity, and bonding scenario that well run restaurants have.
And really, what is more basic and transcending in the human experience than the fact that we all, kings and pawns alike, have to eat. Therein lies the magic of a great restaurant. Taking something that threads us all together and making it the best experience that it can be.
How special to me that the very last of the many conversations he and I had was at the beautiful masterpiece of a bar that bears the essence of John himself.
Our conversations and discussions often made the quick leap from Corolla to the Virgin Islands. He spent years as a chef on St. John's and also on the nearby British Virgin Islands.
Meanwhile, I was mainly a St. Croix devotee because that's where the best scuba diving in the region is located, along with the many cool friends I have on the island.
Luckily, I spent the month of November there last year and finally made my way by seaplane from St. Croix to explore St. John's. That quick visit pushed the Caribbean conversations John and I had to a much higher level.
But our culinary discussions were not limited to the tropics. In fact, when the new sushi restaurant opened in Tim Buck Too, John absolutely insisted that I do a story on them, even though he already knew I had never tried sushi in my entire life.
Having spent a lot of time in my early years on deep sea fishing trips with my Dad off Morehead City, I gained my sea legs when I was still in elementary school. Then with countless shipwreck diving trips as I became older, not to mention a year at sea when I was in the military. All those experiences inherently made me relate sushi with bait. Only John Marmann (and it did take a while) could have talked me into finally trying sushi for the first time.
He almost dragged me over there one day and through his knowledge, skills, and love and excitement of culinary experiences, I went along and discovered an entirely knew way of enjoying delicious seafood. Thanks to John.
When you think about it, John was teaching me by example one of the most cardinal rules for choosing to write about the culinary nature of human existence. Being open-minded with the wide expanse of choices that humans of all creeds and nationalities have. Lesson learned, John, my friend.
So, as I sadly passed by Agave today in the middle of what seemed like a million vehicles and a million people, I strangely felt a sense of being alone.
That building, those spicy shrimp tacos, that incredible new bar, oh and last but not least, the best Margarita in town. But, there will never be another conversation I will have with an undeniable culinary legend of Corolla and the Outer Banks.
And then it hit me. All the times I spent with John at that bar was a tiny fraction of the time he has spent with his dedicated and talented staff, as well as his wife and kids. He did more than open a restaurant and build a bar. He passed all that dedication and talent to his amazing family and crew. And Agave will continue to thrive.
No, John Marmann has not gone. Maybe the body has passed on, but his passion and insight for creating and overseeing the culinary enjoyment for a countless number of people from all fifty stares and dozens of countries remains deeply impeded in every aspect of Agave Roja.
John, you are a legend.
