• During the Civil Rights Movement, Dooky Chase’s was the only upscale restaurant where African-Americans could dine. There, restaurant owner Leah Chase fed Freedom Riders and hosted meetings for the Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 
  • Princess Tiana, from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, was based on Leah’s life and was the 1st African-American princess in a Disney movie. Leah is considered to be of “a generation of African-American women who set their faces against the wind without looking back”, as quoted by Jessica B. Harris, author and expert on food of the African Diaspora.
  • Beyond her countless culinary awards, Leah has been recognized by the NAACP receiving the Weiss Award & Torch of Liberty Award. Other recognitions include University of New Orleans’ Entrepreneurship Award & the Outstanding Woman Award from the National Council of Negro Women. Leah, along with 75 women of color, were featured in “I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America.”

In my dining room, we changed the course of America over a bowl of gumbo and some fried chicken.”

— Leah Chase

Source: NYTimes, African American Chef’s Hall of Fame

    CONTACT US

    4944 Old Boonsboro Rd.
    Lynchburg,VA 24503
    434.384.3663

    Human Resources
    hr@merig.com

    Want to talk Business?
    partner@merig.com

    CONTACT US

    4944 Old Boonsboro Rd.
    Lynchburg,VA 24503
    434.384.3663

    Human Resources
    hr@merig.com

    Want to talk Business?
    partner@merig.com

    Testimonials

    Cooking from very early in the morning to late at night daily, having it be real food and fit everybody’s needs is very hard.
    I feel very lucky to have such careful and caring chefs like you guys.
    Student Foxcroft School
    Student

    The food is just incredible! I really mean it…I hope you know that I am not just saying this. It’s so colorful, fresh, and delicious…so special every day!”

    Faculty Member 
    Faculty Member

    Just a note to say thank you for all of the delicious food you and your staff serve each day. I never knew kale could taste so good!

    Administrator 
    Administrator

    Outstanding food, outstanding service, outstanding people. I brag about MG to my peers at other schools, and even to my friends and family!

    Administrator 
    Administrator

    Thank you so much for all the gluten-free options this year! All of your staff have been so helpful. They make a point to come up to me at meals and let me know what options you have for that meal. Salads are great, but sometimes a warm meal is just what you need!

    Faculty Member 
    Faculty Member

    Thanks for all of the good work you and your team did to ensure that last night’s welcome gathering for new faculty went off without a hitch. I’m so grateful for Team MG working so hard to make sure things are done the right way.

    Head of School 
    Head of School

    I just want to thank you for always having such wonderful healthful choices that taste absolutely amazing! You have truly inspired my palate and given me new love for foods that were once far from comfort for me.

    Guest 
    Guest

    Many times I find a favorite thing out of the many items served during lunch, and although the featured spinach and fruit salad was visually stunning; the SHOUT OUT winner of the day hands down was the very delicious unassuming Vegetarian Pinto Beans!!! The onions were glistening and the peppers served as a complimentary color to the two different shades of beans…I have one regret and that is I didn’t think to take a picture!

    Administrator 
    Administrator

    Thank you for making pimento cheese today! It not only is divine, but also hit the spot. I now regret wasting 62.5 years of life on this planet in which I did not eat this heavenly mix. As I explore different recipes in my home kitchen I will try my best to live up to the standard demonstrated by what I had today.

    Faculty Member 
    Faculty Member

    Everything was wonderful…as usual! The food was scrumptious…and the weather was gorgeous!

    Conference Client 
    Conference Client

    I would not change a thing! Your staff was not only professional, but warm and caring. They truly set the tone for a memorable night. The food was delicious…our family and friends left with hearts and bellies full!

    Catering Client 
    Catering Client

    Thanks for the delicious soup and the new harvest salad – and thanks for removing half the calories out of the Farm Basket brownie…haha.

    Resident 
    Resident

    THANK YOU for your help today with the open house! Our visiting families raved about the personalized environment. We had a student tell us that Guilford went from his 3rd to 1st choice!

    Administrator 
    Administrator

    Thank you for all of your hard work on the meals and breaks for the Alumnae Board. The food was outstanding; everyone raved about each meal. Favorites included the grits on Saturday morning and the butternut squash soup on Sunday. YUM!!!

    Administrator 
    Administrator