Leah Chase

Leah Chase was an American chef, restaurateur, and civil rights activist. She was born on July 23, 1923, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chase grew up in a family of cooks and began her culinary career at a young age. She opened her own restaurant, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, in 1941, which became a popular destination for jazz musicians and civil rights leaders. Chase was known for her Creole cuisine and was a pioneer for African American chefs. She was also a vocal advocate for civil rights and was involved in the movement to desegregate restaurants in New Orleans. Chase passed away on August 10, 2009, at the age of 86. She was posthumously inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2010.