Chef Emeril Lagasse

Chef Emeril Lagasse received his first culinary experience from his mother, Hilda, when he was a boy growing up in the small town of Fall River, Mass. As a teenager, he worked at a Portuguese bakery where he mastered the art of bread and pastry baking. Upon high school graduation, Lagasse was offered a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, but decided to pursue a career as a professional chef. He earned a degree from the respected culinary fortress, Johnson and Wales University, and later received an honorary doctorate degree from the university. Lagasse then traveled to Paris and Lyon, France, where he polished his skills and learned the art of classic French cuisine. Returning to the United States, Lagasse practiced his art in fine restaurants in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia before heading south to the Big Easy. Lured to New Orleans by Dick and Ella Brennan, Lagasse established his star at their legendary restaurant, Commander's Palace, where he was executive chef for seven and a half years.

Lagasse is now the chef-proprietor of 9 restaurants, including locations in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Miramar Beach, and on Carnival Cruise Line's ships. His restaurants continue to receive critical acclaim. As a celebrity chef, Lagasse has hosted over 2,000 shows on the Food Network and starred in Amazon's award-winning series "Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse." He is a beloved food correspondent for ABC's "Good Morning America." Beyond his television presence, Lagasse has authored 19 bestselling cookbooks, including "Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-Won Wisdom from My Life in the Kitchen."

In 2002, Lagasse established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support children’s educational programs in culinary arts, nutrition, and life skills. The foundation has donated over $18 million to children's charities. It has created impactful initiatives like the accessible learning kitchen at St. Michael Special School and a culinary learning center for at-risk youth at Café Reconcile. Notably, Lagasse was named the Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation.