You may already know that Disney’s The Princess and the Frog drew inspiration from the true story of Leah Chase, the legendary New Orleans chef. The real chef behind Princess Tiana owned a restaurant in New Orleans, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. While the restaurant is definitely a destination we recommend, Princess and the Frog fans can also learn more about Leah Chase at Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Chase was a truly remarkable woman who could be found at the helm in Dooky Chase well into her nineties. The New Orleans community and beyond mourned her loss last year when she passed away at the age of 96. When we visited the restaurant just three months prior, in March 2019, Ms. Chase was actually cooking that evening. Unbelievable! I would argue that Ms. Chase was undoubtedly a “super-ager”–one to be studied.
Leah Chase in Washington, D.C.
While you can still visit the restaurant in New Orleans, I recently found another destination celebrating the life and legacy of Leah Chase. This time, it was in my own backyard.
On display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History are a number of artifacts, including her cooking pot, restaurant menu and iconic bright pink chef’s jacket. Instead of donning a traditional white chef’s coat, she famously opted for jackets in bright red and pinks. The jacket became part of her public persona. I would also imagine that it hid cooking stains quite well!
The “Queen of Creole Cuisine” became an international icon, hosting heads of state–including U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama–at the restaurant she owned with her husband. Her restaurant served well-known musicians and actors, and even played host to clandestine meetings during the Civil Rights era.
Leah Chase and Princess Tiana
Much like the character she influenced, Ms. Chase faced challenges on her path to becoming a female African American entrepreneur. But also like Tiana, Leah Chase had a penchant for hospitality.
