How The Chase Family of New Orleans Inspired and Influenced the Creation of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The story of legendary chef Leah Chase and her restaurant, Dooky Chase’s, served as one of the inspirations behind the character of Princess Tiana in The Princess and the Frog.
Through her creativity and determination, Chase transformed a former sandwich shop in Treme into Dooky Chase’s, one of the first African American fine dining establishments in the country.
Photo: Disney
The story began in 1941 when Dooky Chase’s Restaurant opened its doors as a family-run po’boy stand. The establishment was founded by Emily and Dooky Chase Sr. with the hope that it would provide good food to the New Orleans Community.
In 1946, Leah married Dooky Chase Jr. and used the restaurant as a place to test her innovation. Starting out as a cook, Leah infused her family’s famous Creole recipes into the menu, helping to grow the po’boy stand into the famous sit-down restaurant that it is today.
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Since that time, Dooky Chase’s has hosted all kinds of celebrities, including former President George W. Bush, former President Barack Obama, and Beyonce.
The Chase Family’s Influence on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Unfortunately, Chef Leah Chase passed away in 2019, but her family’s legacy has continued to live on, including influencing the development of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction.
Photo: Disney
For example, you may hear one of Leah’s daughters, Leah Chase Jr., cover the Louis Armstrong classic “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans” in the upcoming attraction’s queue.
Leah’s other daughter, Stella Chase Reese, has been a key contact for Walt Disney Imagineering as they conduct research for the ride’s development. Disney has since made a commitment to honor the Chase Family and New Orleans as a whole in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Photo: Disney
During a recent trip to California, Stella and her daughter, Myla Reese Poree, got a sneak peek of the progress of the attraction. They were thrilled with what they saw.
“My mom would be ecstatic…to see Disney take her talents and her values and use them in Tiana,” Stella said.
Photo: Disney
Also, on their trip to California, Stella, and Myla got to see Leah Sr.’s legacy live at Disneyland through Tiana’s Palace restaurant and Eudora’s Chic Boutique shop.
According to Stella, seeing her mother’s legacy live on was “a joy because it’s a way for my mother to continue to give back.”
A Fitting Surprise
When Stella and Myla returned home, Disney knew they wanted to bring the rest of the Chase family along for the completion of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Photo: Disney
During a recent Chase family meeting at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, Disney surprised the entire family with an invitation to Walt Disney World this summer to be among the first to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It is a fitting honor for a family that has been side-by-side with Disney during the attraction’s development.
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