Spotlight on History
Remembering Leah Chase
Chef Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine, has died at age 96. Chase owned Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, which served as an important meeting place for leaders of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. She received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2016. Through the years, Chase made frequent appearances on LPB, including cooking some of her favorite recipes with her friend Chef John Folse and sharing her struggles as she recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Here are a few of our best stories on Chef Leah Chase:
A Louisiana Thanksgiving with Chef John Folse (1989)
Watch Chef Leah Chase prepare Stuffed Mirlitions in her kitchen at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant for Chef John Folse’s holiday feast.
An Introduction to Cajun & Creole Cuisine (1990)
In the first episode of A Taste of Louisiana, Chef Leah Chase joins Chef John Folse in the kitchen to prepare Shrimp Remoulade.
Melrose Plantation (1994)
See Chef John Folse and Chef Leah Chase prepare Chicken Liver Pate and discuss Louisiana food traditions in this episode of A Taste of Louisiana.
Washing Louisiana: Losing Louisiana (2006)
Follow Leah Chase and five other Louisianans as they work to rebuild their lives and recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Louisiana Legends Gala (2007)
See a profile of Leah Chase and her speech accepting her recognition as a Louisiana Legend at the 2007 gala.
Washing Louisiana: After the Storms (2010)
Check back in with Leah Chase and five other Louisianans five years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to see how they have continued their recovery from the storms.
After the Hunt (2010)
View Chef John Folse and Chef Leah Chase preparing a Spit-Roasted Squab in the outdoor kitchen at Destrehan Plantation.
Louisiana Legends Interview (2012)
Watch Chef Leah Chase discuss her life and career at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in this Louisiana Legends interview with host Beth Courtney.
Hooks, Lies & Alibis (2015)
See Chef John Folse and Chef Leah Chase prepare Baked Gaspergou and Creole Turtle Soup at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.
Gumbo 101 (2018)
In this episode of Nourish, watch Chef Leah Chase talk to Dr. Howard Conyers about the essential ingredients in a Louisiana gumbo.