NEW ORLEANS (AP) Legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase always had problems when customers asked if she served soul food. Well, that would depend on where your soul was, shed say. If it was in China, she couldnt really help you.

But if your soul was in New Orleans, well that was different.

If your soul is in New Orleans, I know what to give you, Chase said during an interview. Im going to give you some jambalaya. I can give you some stewed chicken. I can give you some shrimp Creole.

Chase, who fed generations of New Orleanians and tourists alike at Dooky Chases restaurant, died Saturday. She was 96.

Chases family released a statement to news outlets Saturday night, sharing that the woman they called a believer in the Spirit of New Orleans died surrounded by family.

Her daily joy was not simply cooking, but preparing meals to bring people together, the familys statement read. One of her most prized contributions was advocating for the Civil Rights Movement through feeding those on the front lines of the struggle for human dignity.