Nola Weekend Plans: Celebrate Leah Chase’s 90th birthday
What are your plans this weekend? The Chase family has invited the city to take part in celebrating the 90th birthday of Leah Chase. Born on Jan. 6 — Twelfth Night, the family will feast with music, sweets and regional dishes, such as a creamy crab and cauliflower bisque being prepared by John Besh. 
Beginning on Friday, the family will host three lunch seatings (11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.) at Dooky Chase Restaurant (2301 Orleans Ave.) featuring a special menu of Mrs. Chase's favorites. Admission is $40. Members of the community will have a chance to sit with Mr. and Mrs. Chase and hear stories of their lives and relationships.
On Saturday, January 5, the 90th birthday gala will begin with a cocktail reception followed by a four-course meal prepared by celebrity chefs, John Besh, John Currence, Susan Spicer, John Folse and Marcus Samuelsson. Samuelsson, the chef at Harlem’s Red Rooster, will contribute a dish for the gala but will not be able to attend. A team will be preparing the food in his absence.
Let's not forget about one of the most important factors in this weekend's celebration—giving back. This weekend's events will kick-off the inauguration of Edgar "Dooky" Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation with proceeds benefitting the foundation and future awards and activities. The Edgar "Dooky" Jr. & Leah Chase Family Foundation is being established to continue the legacy of the pair's tireless work to uplift their families and community through their faith, successful management of Dooky Chase Restaurant, active involvement in social justice activities that foster inclusion, and support of the creative and culinary arts.
Dooky Chase Restaurant, a civil rights landmark assisted civil rights activists such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who needed a place to draw up plans for staged sit-ins for those trying to further racial equality.
The couple have been catalysts for social change and voices for progress for the people, city and state they love. The foundation will serve as a conduit to continue their efforts and support others who embody the same passion and values.
Tickets for the gala and four-course dinner start at $250. Participating chefs will introduce the dishes as they are served as part of the program.
Dooky Chase Restaurant 2301 Orleans Ave., New Orleans TREME 504-821-0535For more information, please visit www.dookyandleahchasefoundation.org
Teniesha Biagas is a jack of all trades. When she's not creating websites, or advising others on social media, she's planning events or blogging. She fundraises during the day; and in her free time, enjoys brunch, cuddling with her five-pound Yorkie, Big Boi and making (then crushing) to-do lists. Follow her on Twitter @10iesha.