Disney event pays tribute to the ‘Queen of Creole cuisine,’ who inspired Princess Tiana | News

Authenticity, pride, love and family are infused into Magic Kingdom’s newest attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World. The attraction is the first attraction inspired by an African-American character and Disney’s first black princess.

No one felt these elements more than Stella Reese Chase and her family.

Chase is the daughter of Leah Chase. Known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” Chase inspired Princess Tiana. She took over Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans, following founders Emily and Edgar “Dooky” Chase. Léa died at the age of 96 in 2019.

Much like Tiana’s Palace in the movie “The Princess and the Frog,” Dooky Chase Restaurant is considered the crown jewel of the Crescent City. It was one of the few restaurants during the Jim Crow era where black people could dine freely.

Since its opening in 1941, it has hosted such iconic historical figures as Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as artists Beyoncé, Ray Charles and Quincy Jones.

At an exclusive media event this week ahead of the attraction’s grand opening, Leah’s daughter Chase, who is now the matriarch of the culinary family, was announced as Disney’s Honorary Imagineer, a creative professional for the entertainment company.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure debuts June 28 at Magic Kingdom in Florida and later this year at Critter Country at Disneyland Park in California.

Walking around the Orlando attraction, she spent many emotional moments observing pieces of Tiana’s life that reflected her mother’s legacy.

“My mother, being a humble person, would just be amazed and she would just say, Oh Lord, what have I done to deserve this, because she always lifted the Lord in everything,” Chase told the Florida Courier about how his mother would do it. react to attraction if she were alive.

She added: “She never would have imagined that Disney would have chosen her to be the inspiration for Princess Tiana.”

Chase, who now runs the restaurant alongside her granddaughter Tracie Haydel Griffin, great-granddaughter Eve Marie Haydel and great-great-granddaughter Zoe Chase, says her mother was able to see the film “The Princess and the Frog” and that she enjoyed the film.

“She also liked the fact that Tiana didn’t give up,” she said, referring to Tiana’s entrepreneurial spirit, which matched her mother’s. “She was determined, she was a great entrepreneur, she didn’t give up and my mother was that person.”

A family heritage everywhere

The family expressed gratitude to Disney for choosing their family to preserve Leah’s story and emphasized the importance of unity and inclusiveness.

Chase says the Disney imagineers got his hometown right down to the blade of grass.

“They did so many things, including artists from our area, musicians from our area, getting ideas from people in our area,” Chase explained during a private dinner. “So, Disney, we want to thank you for looking at New Orleans, for selecting us, and especially for choosing the Chase family to continue my mother’s story into legend.”

Leah’s grandson and executive chef, Edgar “Dook” Chase IV, echoed his mother’s gratitude and says Tiana’s story is a reminder of his family’s legacy of serving the community.

“When I think of Princess Tiana’s story, I remember my grandmother’s story, the story of a young girl chasing her dreams,” he said. “We were all taught from a young age that true hospitality means service to our community. My grandparents often said that they changed the course of America over a bowl of gumbo. »

A cover of “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” » by Louis Armstrong? by Leah Chase’s other daughter – also named Leah – plays in the queue while guests wait to board.

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant also partnered with Disney to sell its famous seasonings at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, as well as online for the first time.

“We use the term carrying on the legacy,” Edgar said during a group interview. “And it really continues the legacy of community and service and to see it now exposed to the world of Disney, I mean, it’s just fascinating.”

Experience the attraction

The Chase family had the honor of being the first to ride the attraction.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces the Splash Mountain attraction, which closed last year. The story takes place a year after the film in which Tiana is now the proud owner of Tiana’s Palace and Tiana’s Foods.

The ride takes you through the bayou as Tiana tries to find another musician to play at her restaurant for Mardi Gras.

While waiting in line, guests will have the opportunity to learn about other aspects of Tiana’s life, such as her salute to her father who was a veteran of World War I, newspaper clippings about her other culinary achievements such as being Chef of the Year in 1925 and the kitchen where she prepares her “man-catcher” donuts, as her friend Lottie would say.

And if you can find it, there’s an honorary photo of Leah Chase herself and Tiana with the caption: “Thank you so much, Ms. Chase, for all your inspiration.” You are the real princess of New Orleans.