Dooky Chase Kitchen: Leah's Legacy

Chef Leah Chase was a tireless ambassador for her community.

The Chase family grew a corner sandwich shop into one of the most culturally significant restaurants in the country, where Chef Leah Chase became known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine.

The Chase family grew a corner sandwich shop into one of the most culturally significant restaurants in the country, where Chef Leah Chase became known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine.

The Chase family grew a corner sandwich shop into one of the most culturally significant restaurants in the country, where Chef Leah Chase became known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine.

Chef Leah Chase grew up in Madisonville, Louisiana, a small community on the Tchefuncte River, across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.

Chef Leah Chase grew up in Madisonville, Louisiana, a small community on the Tchefuncte River, across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.

Chef Leah Chase grew up in Madisonville, Louisiana, a small community on the Tchefuncte River, across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.

January 6th is King's Day, the traditional start of Carnival in New Orleans, but at Dooky Chase the date is celebrated as Queen's Day in honor of Chef Leah Chase who was born that day.

January 6th is King's Day, the traditional start of Carnival in New Orleans, but at Dooky Chase the date is celebrated as Queen's Day in honor of Chef Leah Chase who was born that day.

January 6th is King's Day, the traditional start of Carnival in New Orleans, but at Dooky Chase the date is celebrated as Queen's Day in honor of Chef Leah Chase who was born that day.

The motto that Chef Leah Chase lived by was "Pray, Work and Do For others.

Chef Leah Chase's mother, Hortensia Lange, was an inventive Creole cook who fed her large family in rural Madisonville with fresh produce from the family's garden.

Chef Leah Chase's mother, Hortensia Lange, was an inventive Creole cook who fed her large family in rural Madisonville with fresh produce from the family's garden.

Chef Leah Chase's mother, Hortensia Lange, was an inventive Creole cook who fed her large family in rural Madisonville with fresh produce from the family's garden.

The origin of the Dooky Chase Restaurant, established in 1941, was a sandwich shop across the street owned by Edgar "Dooky" Chase Sr.

The origin of the Dooky Chase Restaurant, established in 1941, was a sandwich shop across the street owned by Edgar "Dooky" Chase Sr.

The origin of the Dooky Chase Restaurant, established in 1941, was a sandwich shop across the street owned by Edgar "Dooky" Chase Sr.

Chef Leah Chase wanted to elevate her restaurant and provide fine dining for her community.

Chef Leah Chase wanted to elevate her restaurant and provide fine dining for her community.

Chef Leah Chase wanted to elevate her restaurant and provide fine dining for her community.

Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr., Chef Leah's husband, was a talented jazz trumpet player who at an early age led The Dooky Chase Orchestra.

Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr., Chef Leah's husband, was a talented jazz trumpet player who at an early age led The Dooky Chase Orchestra.

Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr., Chef Leah's husband, was a talented jazz trumpet player who at an early age led The Dooky Chase Orchestra.

Recalling strategy sessions led by Civil Rights leaders at Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Chef Leah Chase said, "we helped change the world over a bowl of gumbo and some fried chicken.

Recalling strategy sessions led by Civil Rights leaders at Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Chef Leah Chase said, "we helped change the world over a bowl of gumbo and some fried chicken.

Recalling strategy sessions led by Civil Rights leaders at Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Chef Leah Chase said, "we helped change the world over a bowl of gumbo and some fried chicken.

The celebration of Mardi Gras is a cherished tradition at Dooky Chase that includes a toast to King Zulu as the parade passes in front of the restaurant.

Chef Leah Chase's mother, Hortensia Lange, was an inventive Creole cook who fed her large family in rural Madisonville with fresh produce from the family's garden.

Holy Thursday is an important Creole tradition celebrated at Dooky Chase since 1973.

Holy Thursday is an important Creole tradition celebrated at Dooky Chase since 1973.

Holy Thursday is an important Creole tradition celebrated at Dooky Chase since 1973.

Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are two important guests who dined at Dooky Chase through the years.

Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are two important guests who dined at Dooky Chase through the years.

Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are two important guests who dined at Dooky Chase through the years.

Chef Leah Chase began collecting works by African American artists in the early 1970s and the restaurant is a visual feast thanks to the culinary icon who was a lifelong member of the New Orleans Museum of Art Board of Trustees.

Chef Leah Chase began collecting works by African American artists in the early 1970s and the restaurant is a visual feast thanks to the culinary icon who was a lifelong member of the New Orleans Museum of Art Board of Trustees.

Chef Leah Chase began collecting works by African American artists in the early 1970s and the restaurant is a visual feast thanks to the culinary icon who was a lifelong member of the New Orleans Museum of Art Board of Trustees.

Faith and family were the core of Chef Leah Chase's life.

Faith and family were the core of Chef Leah Chase's life.

Faith and family were the core of Chef Leah Chase's life.

For nearly ten years Chef Leah Chase prepared food for an annual wild game dinner hosted by New Orleans' first Black mayor, Ernest "Dutch" Morial, an event that outgrew the restaurant and was eventually held in the Municipal Auditorium.

For nearly ten years Chef Leah Chase prepared food for an annual wild game dinner hosted by New Orleans' first Black mayor, Ernest "Dutch" Morial, an event that outgrew the restaurant and was eventually held in the Municipal Auditorium.

For nearly ten years Chef Leah Chase prepared food for an annual wild game dinner hosted by New Orleans' first Black mayor, Ernest "Dutch" Morial, an event that outgrew the restaurant and was eventually held in the Municipal Auditorium.

Chef Leah Chase offered a leisurely multi-course Creole Feast for special gatherings as an opportunity for her guests to spend time enjoying food and conversation.

Holy Thursday is an important Creole tradition celebrated at Dooky Chase since 1973.

Reflecting its commitment to the Treme neighborhood in which it is located, this episode traces changes to the Dooky Chase Restaurant, including an expansion for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and a challenging rebuild following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Reflecting its commitment to the Treme neighborhood in which it is located, this episode traces changes to the Dooky Chase Restaurant, including an expansion for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and a challenging rebuild following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Reflecting its commitment to the Treme neighborhood in which it is located, this episode traces changes to the Dooky Chase Restaurant, including an expansion for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and a challenging rebuild following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Chef Leah Chase was a tireless ambassador for her community.

Chef Leah Chase was a tireless ambassador for her community.

Chef Leah Chase was a tireless ambassador for her community.

The motto that Chef Leah Chase lived by was "Pray, Work and Do For others.

The motto that Chef Leah Chase lived by was "Pray, Work and Do For others.

The motto that Chef Leah Chase lived by was "Pray, Work and Do For others.

The celebration of Mardi Gras is a cherished tradition at Dooky Chase that includes a toast to King Zulu as the parade passes in front of the restaurant.

The celebration of Mardi Gras is a cherished tradition at Dooky Chase that includes a toast to King Zulu as the parade passes in front of the restaurant.

The celebration of Mardi Gras is a cherished tradition at Dooky Chase that includes a toast to King Zulu as the parade passes in front of the restaurant.

Chef Leah Chase offered a leisurely multi-course Creole Feast for special gatherings as an opportunity for her guests to spend time enjoying food and conversation.

Chef Leah Chase offered a leisurely multi-course Creole Feast for special gatherings as an opportunity for her guests to spend time enjoying food and conversation.

Chef Leah Chase offered a leisurely multi-course Creole Feast for special gatherings as an opportunity for her guests to spend time enjoying food and conversation.

Throughout her lifetime Chef Leah Chase explored the culinary traditions of other cultures, insisting that in order to understand people, you had to get to know and eat their food.

Reflecting its commitment to the Treme neighborhood in which it is located, this episode traces changes to the Dooky Chase Restaurant, including an expansion for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and a challenging rebuild following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Throughout her lifetime Chef Leah Chase explored the culinary traditions of other cultures, insisting that in order to understand people, you had to get to know and eat their food.

Throughout her lifetime Chef Leah Chase explored the culinary traditions of other cultures, insisting that in order to understand people, you had to get to know and eat their food.

Throughout her lifetime Chef Leah Chase explored the culinary traditions of other cultures, insisting that in order to understand people, you had to get to know and eat their food.

At Chase family celebrations in New Orleans and Madisonville, an abundance of pots and dishes line tables and everyone brings a favorite dish.

At Chase family celebrations in New Orleans and Madisonville, an abundance of pots and dishes line tables and everyone brings a favorite dish.

At Chase family celebrations in New Orleans and Madisonville, an abundance of pots and dishes line tables and everyone brings a favorite dish.

Chef Leah Chase prepared a Father's Day feast each year for her large extended family.

Chef Leah Chase prepared a Father's Day feast each year for her large extended family.

Chef Leah Chase prepared a Father's Day feast each year for her large extended family.

The Chase family established Christmas traditions that evolved around the restaurant.

The Chase family established Christmas traditions that evolved around the restaurant.

The Chase family established Christmas traditions that evolved around the restaurant.

James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Leah Chase reached the pinnacle of her profession through her natural talent and dedication to her craft.

James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Leah Chase reached the pinnacle of her profession through her natural talent and dedication to her craft.

James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Leah Chase reached the pinnacle of her profession through her natural talent and dedication to her craft.

At Chase family celebrations in New Orleans and Madisonville, an abundance of pots and dishes line tables and everyone brings a favorite dish.

Throughout her lifetime Chef Leah Chase explored the culinary traditions of other cultures, insisting that in order to understand people, you had to get to know and eat their food.

The younger Chase generations have reintroduced Creole specialties and cocktails from an earlier day, while adding new menu items like vegan dishes.

The younger Chase generations have reintroduced Creole specialties and cocktails from an earlier day, while adding new menu items like vegan dishes.

The younger Chase generations have reintroduced Creole specialties and cocktails from an earlier day, while adding new menu items like vegan dishes.

Recognizing that they have big shoes to fill, the younger Chase generations carry on their family's legacy at Dooky Chase, creating new dishes while respecting food traditions that Chef Leah Chase brought to the table.

Recognizing that they have big shoes to fill, the younger Chase generations carry on their family's legacy at Dooky Chase, creating new dishes while respecting food traditions that Chef Leah Chase brought to the table.

Recognizing that they have big shoes to fill, the younger Chase generations carry on their family's legacy at Dooky Chase, creating new dishes while respecting food traditions that Chef Leah Chase brought to the table.

On this episode viewers visit the Chase Family Pavilion for a get-together in the country.

On this episode viewers visit the Chase Family Pavilion for a get-together in the country.