As my social media sites fill up with pictures of The Queen of Creole, Mrs. Leah Chase, I am proud and equally saddened. What she did for creole cuisine and her community will forever be carried on by chefs, mentees, and activists to come. Her incredible long, fulfilling, exceptional life is one rarely seen in our industry which likes to usually devour us like a ravenous animal. But not her, she not only showed the world how hard work and passion can create big things, but she made sure she mentored and supported her community the whole way up.
My heroines and heroes look very different than many people I know. I rarely get star struck by the Hollywood, athletic, and music industry elites. To me they are a dime a dozen. But for people like Chef Leah Chase, a chance to have met her would have been an experience of my lifetime. An opportunity to have learned under her would have been extraordinary. Unfortunately I never did (Another blog about not letting your life get in the way of living your life later).
“Her legacy lives on in every person—guest, chef or activist—who understands the deep human connection that comes from sharing a meal, and who are fighting to return dignity and humanity to our food system.” Katherine Miller JBF Vice President of impact.
I’m not sure if I could do justice writing about such an impactful person. But I know I want to honor her for her work inside and out of the kitchen. Here are some links you should read to get to know this women who touched and will continue to touch so many lives.
https://www.southernfoodways.org/interview/leah-chase/
https://www.theconnectedtable.com/ms-leah-chase-still-cooking/
https://countryroadsmagazine.com/cuisine/Louisiana-foodways/chef-leah-chase/
THE FOOD STORIES PROJECT 