Frances Kitching

About the Author

Frances Kitching, fondly remembered as the heart and soul of Smith Island, was a beloved local legend whose life embodied the resilient spirit of Chesapeake Bay's maritime culture. Born and raised on the tiny, windswept island off Maryland's eastern shore, she spent decades running the iconic Mrs. Kitching's Crab House, where her warm hospitality and culinary expertise drew visitors from far and wide. In her cookbook, Mrs. Kitching’s Smith Island Cookbook, she shares cherished family recipes passed down through generations, featuring the island's signature soft-shell crabs, fresh seafood stews, and layered cakes that capture the essence of low-country living. Through her writing, Kitching not only preserved a fading culinary heritage but also painted vivid portraits of community, family, and the rhythms of island life, inspiring readers to savor the simple joys of home-cooked meals amid the tides.