Leah Chase

Leah Chase
Leah Chase in April 2008
Born
Leyah Lange

(1923-01-06)January 6, 1923
Madisonville, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 2019(2019-06-01) (aged 96)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
SpouseEdgar "Dooky" Chase II (m. 1946; died 2016)
Children4
Culinary career
Cooking styleCreole
Current restaurant(s)
  • Dooky Chase
Award(s) won

Leyah (Leah) Chase[1] (née Lange; January 6, 1923 – June 1, 2019) was an American chef based in New Orleans, Louisiana. An author and television personality, she was known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, advocating both African-American art and Creole cooking. Her restaurant, Dooky Chase, was known as a gathering place during the 1960s among many who participated in the Civil Rights Movement,[2] and was known as a gallery due to its extensive African-American art collection. In 2018 it was named one of the 40 most important restaurants of the past 40 years by Food & Wine.

Chase was the recipient of a multitude of awards and honors. In her 2002 biography, Chase's awards and honors occupy over two pages.[3] Chase was inducted into the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America in 2010.[4] She was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Foodways Alliance in 2000.[5] Chase received honorary degrees from Tulane University, Dillard University,[6][7] Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Madonna College,[8] Loyola University New Orleans,[9] and Johnson & Wales University. She was awarded Times-Picayune Loving Cup Award in 1997.[10][11] The Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, named a permanent gallery in Chase's honor in 2009.[3]

  1. ^ report, Advocate staff (June 2019). "Leah Chase: Read family's statement on death of famed New Orleans restaurateur, chef". The Advocate.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Judy Walker, The Times-Picayune (July 2, 2009). "The Queen of Creole Cuisine's latest honor is a museum gallery". NOLA.com. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  4. ^ "New Orleans chefs make list of James Beard food awards | wwltv.com New Orleans". Wwltv.com. March 22, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  5. ^ "SFA | Hall of Fame | Lifetime Achievement Award | Leah Chase". Southernfoodways.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  6. ^ "New Orleans, Louisiana Local News". Nola.com. September 30, 2009. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  7. ^ "Children's Defense Fund: Children's Defense Fund". Cdf.childrensdefense.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  8. ^ Wohl, Kit. New Orleans Classic Desserts – Google Books. Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 9781455609437. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  9. ^ "Gov. Jindal, Guantanamo attorney to speak at 2009 Loyola commencement – Herbie Hancock to receive honorary degree – Loyola University New Orleans". Noah.loyno.edu. April 24, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  10. ^ "Loving Cup winners" (PDF). Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  11. ^ Eliot Kamenitz / The Times-Picayune. "Leah Chase selected for 1997 T-P Loving Cup". NOLA.com. Retrieved June 30, 2011.