Emeril Lagasse

Emeril John Lagasse III is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. Raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, he developed an early interest in cooking while working in a local Portuguese bakery. He studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University, later refining his skills in French cuisine in Paris and Lyon. Lagasse subsequently moved to New Orleans, where he served as the executive chef at Commander's Palace for nearly eight years before launching his own culinary ventures.

In 1990, Lagasse opened his flagship restaurant, Emeril's Restaurant, in New Orleans. Over his career, he expanded his restaurant empire through the Emeril Group, opening dining establishments in cities such as Las Vegas and Miramar Beach, as well as venues aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships. Known for pioneering a style termed "New New Orleans" cooking, Lagasse gained widespread national popularity as a TV host on Food Network programs like Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live, popularizing signature catchphrases like "BAM!"

Beyond restaurant operations and television programming, Lagasse has authored nearly 20 cookbooks and developed branded lines of kitchen appliances, cookware, and packaged food products. He has received accolades including the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Southeast Regional Chef and the James Beard Humanitarian of the Year Award. In 2002, he established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth education, culinary arts, and nutrition programs.