CELEBRITY GENEALOGY
The Louisiana Roots of Leah Chase, Queen of Creole Cuisine
We’re mourning our loss, but there’s a party in heaven because Leah Lange Chase has gone to join her ancestors, who are no doubt celebrating her arrival with a second line.
Even in her mid-90s, legendary chef, restaurateur, activist, and patron of the arts, Leah Chase, didn’t slow down. The New Orleans luminary could be found everywhere from the National Museum of African American History & Culture to Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’ video.
Though she was entirely self-made, an exploration of her heritage makes her seem almost pre-destined to be a stand-out representative of her home state. After all, her family history is the history of Louisiana.
Miss Chase’s family tree meanders back through Louisiana for generations, primarily in the parishes of Orleans, East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Pointe Coupee. In fact, only one of her great-grandparents was born elsewhere, and even he started life nearby in Pass Christian, Mississippi. And her roots are classic Creole. As might be expected, French surnames abound, but her Spanish ancestry is also evident.