Leah Chase," The Queen of Creole Cuisine," has been selected as a 2012 Faces of Diversity American Dream award winner by the National Restaurant Association (NRA). The award recognizes those who have achieved the American Dream of entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry. In addition to the award, a $2,500 scholarship was given to a student in their honor. Mrs. Chase is the figurehead of Dooky Chase Restaurant in New Orleans. The NRA, in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, created the Faces of Diversity awards program in 2007.

Mrs.Chase has been on the frontlines of the Civil Rights movement, a pioneer of Creole cooking and a longtime promoter of African American art. Growing up in a segregated New Orleans, she learned about the restaurant business from the ground up. After marrying in 1945, she began working for her husband’s family’s restaurant, eventually converting the menu to reflect her Creole roots. At 89 years old, Chase is still running the kitchen of Dooky Chase Restaurant.

“Ms. Leah is an inspiration to all aspiring chefs,” said LRA President & CEO Stan Harris. “Her life’s work has been dedicated to feeding not only people, but a movement. She enriches the lives of everyone she meets and is truly worthy of this special honor.”

Mrs. Chase was honored, along with two other restaurateurs, at a gala awards dinner last night in Washington, D.C. During her acceptance speech, she shared words her father instructed her to live by: “‘Pray, work and do for others,’ in that order and it’s never failed me.”