Leah Chase

File:Leah Chase Listen book cover.JPG

Leah Chase

Name	Leah Chase
Birth name
Birth date	January 6, 1923
Birth place	Madisonville, Louisiana, U.S.
Death date	June 1, 2019
Death place	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Chef, Restaurateur
Years active
Organization
Known for	Creole cuisine, Civil Rights activism
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Leah Chase (January 6, 1923 – June 1, 2019) was an American chef, author, and television personality, renowned for her work in the culinary arts and her role in the Civil Rights Movement. She was often referred to as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine" and was the executive chef and co-owner of Dooky Chase's Restaurant, a landmark in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Early Life

Leah Chase was born in Madisonville, Louisiana, a small town on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. She was one of 11 children in her family. Her parents, Charles and Hortensia Lange, were Catholic Creoles of Color. Leah grew up in a family that valued education and hard work, but due to the lack of educational opportunities for African Americans in Madisonville, she moved to New Orleans to live with relatives and attend high school.

Career

After high school, Leah Chase worked in a variety of jobs, including as a waitress in the French Quarter. In 1946, she married Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr., whose parents owned a street corner stand in the Treme neighborhood. Leah and Dooky transformed the stand into a sit-down restaurant, which became known as Dooky Chase's Restaurant.

Dooky Chase's Restaurant

Under Leah Chase's leadership, Dooky Chase's Restaurant became a hub for the African American community and a meeting place for civil rights activists. The restaurant was one of the few places where African Americans could meet and discuss strategies during the Civil Rights Movement. It was frequented by prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Rosa Parks.

Leah Chase's culinary skills and innovative Creole dishes attracted a diverse clientele, and the restaurant became famous for its gumbo, jambalaya, and fried chicken. Her cookbook, "The Dooky Chase Cookbook," published in 1990, shares many of her beloved recipes.

Civil Rights Activism

Leah Chase played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, using her restaurant as a safe haven for activists. She provided meals and a space for planning and organizing. Her contributions to the movement were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her life.

Legacy

Leah Chase's influence extended beyond the kitchen. She was a cultural icon in New Orleans and an advocate for African American art and culture. Her restaurant displayed works by African American artists, and she was a supporter of the arts community.

In recognition of her contributions, Leah Chase received many accolades, including the James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Her life and work have been celebrated in documentaries, books, and even a character inspired by her in the Disney film "The Princess and the Frog."

Also see

• Creole cuisine
• Civil Rights Movement
• New Orleans
• African American culture