by Ron Chapman

The passing of Leah Chase was not merely the end of a wonderful, giving life, but it marks the close of a epoch.  The life and times of Leah Chase chart a history of America’s race relations and its connection to the universal love of food.  

Mrs. Chase did not merely prepare meals for customers, she made a statement with every plate laid down on a table.  In her quiet and gracious manner she soothed raw emotions with her gumbo and fried chicken. She opened her doors to all with love. Her restaurant became a meeting place where people from varied backgrounds could gather around the table and share a wonderful meal.   More importantly, while eating, they also shared one another’s company which did much to grease the wheels of social progress.