PHOTOS: New Orleans' final farewell to Leah Chase was fit for a queen

Clarence Dalcour, Chief of the Creole Oceolas Mardi Gras Indians, releases doves at Dooky Chase's Restaurant in remembrance of Chef Leah Chase as family members of Chase look on after a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase's Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

PHOTOS: New Orleans’ final farewell to Leah Chase was fit for a queen

by Matthew Hinton | June 11, 2019

Hundreds of New Orleanians came out Monday to pay their final respects to Leah Chase, known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine”.

Chase died June 1 at 96 years old, and since then, the city has mourned her death and celebrated her life with numerous second lines and memorial services. On Monday, a funeral Mass was held at St. Peter Claver Church. A traditional second line immediately followed, which passed by her restaurant, Dooky Chase.

St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Rev. John Asare-Dankwah hugs Stella Chase, the daughter of Chef Leah Chase, next to the casket containing her body during a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea’s Italian Restaurant holds a picture in of Chef Leah Chase in his chef’s jacket before a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Stella Chase, the daughter of Chef Leah Chase, walks with Baby Doll Carol ‘Kit’ Harris during a jazz funeral procession to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. Playing trombone next them are Alvin Coco, a 7-year-old, and band leader Big Sam Williams. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews and Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning composer and musician Terence Blancherd lead a funeral procession for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

James Beard Award Winners Chef John Besh, left, Chef Alon Shaya, and Chef Nina Compton; stand with Chef Andrea Apuzzo Chef Frank Wong, and Chef Goffredo Fraccaro before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Pallbearers follow a funeral procession for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Tracie Haydel Griffin, the granddaughter of Chef Leah Chase, walks during a jazz funeral procession to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. Playing trombone next them are Alvin Coco, a 7-year-old, and band leader Big Sam Williams. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef Joe Randall of Savannah, Georgia, hugs Edgar ‘Dooky’ Chase, IV, the grandson of Leah Chase, next to Chef John Folse, a leading expert of Cajun and Creole cuisine after a second line at City Park in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

People including Chef Alon Shaya join hands during a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Tracie Haydel Griffin, the granddaughter of Chef Leah Chase, left, watches as Clarence Dalcour, Chief of the Creole Oceolas Mardi Gras Indians, releases doves in remembrance of Chef Chase at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

People pray during a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Edgar ‘Dooky’ Chase, III, the son of Chef Leah Chase, right, takes part in a second line for his mother in City Park after her burial at nearby St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Two ladies hold signs honoring Chef Leah Chase during a second line in City Park after her burial at nearby St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef Leah Chase’s grandchildren bring offerings during her funeral at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club line up for a jazz funeral after a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Members of Mystic Seven Sisters line up for a jazz funeral after a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef Alon Shaya greets food radio host Poopy Tooker of ‘Louisiana Eats’ during a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Baby Dolls line up for a jazz funeral after a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Rev. John Asare-Dankwah fist bumps a member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club during a jazz funeral after a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Musicians play during a jazz funeral after a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef John Besh, top right, talks to retired Chef Goffredo Fraccaro, seated, before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

People including former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, center, and current Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, bottom right, shake hands during a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at the end of a funeral mass in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Chef de cuisine at Commander’s Palace Christopher Lynch, left, Commander’s Palace Executive Chef Tory McPhail, Chef Frank Wong of Trey Yuen Chinese restaurant, and Nat Carrier of Commander’s Palace arrive for a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

A mourner arrives for a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Jazz legend Ellis Marsalis and his son Jazz drummer Jason Marsalis arrive for a visitation before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Ti Adelaide Martin, the co-owner of Commander’s Palace and daughter of Ella Brennan, arrives for a visitation before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten arrives for a visitation before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

People arrive for a visitation before a funeral mass for Chef Leah Chase in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Edgar ‘Dooky’ Chase, III, the son of Chef Leah Chase, places a cross on the casket containing her body during a funeral mass while standing next to his sister Stella Chase, bottom left, in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Monday, June 10, 2019. The Queen of Creole Cuisine at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant passed away last Saturday June 1st at the age of 96. Born on January 6, 1923 she later served two U.S. presidents and also Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights era. The restaurant she ran with her husband, Dooky Chase, Jr., served as a meeting place for African-American politicians for decades. Photo by Matthew Hinton

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Matthew Hinton

Matthew Hinton is a New Orleans area freelance photographer whose work has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Best of Photojournalism Awards in 2014 and 2016, and by numerous awards from the Press Club of New Orleans, including the Hal Ledet President's Print Photography Award, the highest honor the Press Club can bestow upon a photographer.
Matthew Hinton has previously been a staff photographer at both of the daily newspapers in New Orleans. His work has appeared nationally and internationally through freelance work with the Associated Press and AFP, Agence France-Presse.

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