Emeril Lagasse is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality. He is known for his appearances in multiple television series on the Food Network. Although he is a well-known celebrity chef, there are many facts about Emeril Lagasse that people do not know. Here are some Emeril Lagasse facts that you might find interesting.
Emeril Lagasse Facts: His Personal Life
Where Was Emeril Lagasse Born?
Emeril Lagasse was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on 15 October 1959. He is from a French-Canadian family, although his mother has Portuguese heritage.
Is Emeril Lagasse Married?
Something that fans of the celebrity chef might want to know is ‘who is Emeril Lagasse’s wife?’ The chef has been married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Kief, who he met when they worked together at the Venus De Milo Restaurant in Massachusetts. After their divorce, Lagasse married Tari Hohn, a fashion designer, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Next, Lagasse married his third wife, real estate broker Alden Lovelace in 2000.
Does Emeril Lagasse Have Children?
Yes, Emeril Lagasse does have children. His two children are from his third marriage.
Where Does Emeril Lagasse Live?
Although he is from Massachusetts, Emeril Lagasse and his family live in Destin, Florida.
What Is Emeril Lagasse’s Net Worth?
The success of his career means that Emeril Lagasse’s net worth is estimated at $70 million. It means he is the eighth richest celebrity chef in the world. He sits just below Rachael Ray on the list but is wealthier than fellow Food Network star Bobby Flay.
Facts About Emeril Lagasse: His Culinary Career
His Style of Cooking is New New Orleans
Lagasse famously developed his own style of cuisine, which he called ‘New New Orleans.’ It is a modern twist on Creole and Cajun cooking.
He Became an Executive Chef in 1979
Within a year of completing his culinary course at Johnson & Wales University, Emeril Lagasse landed his first Executive Chef position. He began working as the Executive Chef at the Dunfey’s Hyannis Resort in 1979.
He Worked at Commander’s Palace for More Than Seven Years
Emeril Lagasse succeeded Paul Prudhomme as the Executive Chef at New Orleans restaurant Commander’s Palace in 1982. A year later, Lagasse was nominated as the Chef of the year. During his time at the restaurant, Lagasse worked under Richard Brennan, Sr. Lagasse led the kitchen for seven and a half years, then left to open his own restaurant.
Lagasse Has Published 19 Cookbooks
Between 1993 and 2015, Lagasse has published 19 cookbooks. His first cookbook was ‘New New Orleans Cooking.’ Lagasse’s most recent cookbook was ‘Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-Won Wisdom from My Life in the Kitchen.’
He Has Won an Award for a Spicy Recipe
In 2003, Emeril Lagasse won the National Best Recipe award for his turkey and hot sausage chilli.
Astronauts Have Eaten His Food
NASA wanted to improve the selection of food available on the International Space Station. Lagasse was one of the chefs chosen to develop new recipes for the astronauts. NASA particularly wanted Lagasse because of his use of spices. It is known that microgravity reduces the flavour of food, so Lagasse’s spicier fare was ideal.
Emeril Lagasse’s Restaurants
He Opened His First Restaurant in 1990
Emeril Lagasse has had his own restaurants for more than three decades. His first restaurant was Emeril’s in New Orleans, which opened in 1990. In the year the restaurant opened, Esquire Magazine named it the restaurant of the year. Every year since 1999, the restaurant has won a Wine Spectator Grand Award.
He Has Five Restaurants in New Orleans
Emeril Lagasse has five restaurants in New Orleans, which is also the location of his company’s headquarters. His restaurants in this city are Emeril’s New Orleans, NOLA Restaurant, Meril, Emeril’s Table, and Emeril’s Delmonico.
Emeril Lagasse Has Seven More Restaurants in Other Locations
In addition to his seven New Orleans restaurants, Emeril Lagasse has a further seven restaurants in other locations. His Las Vegas restaurants include Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian and Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lagasse has three restaurants at the Wind Creek Casino. These are Emeril’s Fish House, BAM (Burgers and More by Emeril), and Emeril’s Chop House. Finally, he has a restaurant called Emeril’s Coastal Italian in Miramar Beach, Florida.
He Also Has Five Former Restaurants
In the past, Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants included Emeril’s Tchoup Chop in Orlando, Emeril’s Orlando, Table 10 in Las Vegas. Lagasse’s Stadium, and Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House in Gulfport.
Lagasse’s Career in Television
He First Appeared on Television on Great Chefs
The first time that Emeril Lagasse appeared on television was in the series ‘Great Chefs,’ and he appeared in ten episodes.
He Hosted ‘How to Boil Water’
Emeril Lagasse was the original host of the cooking series ‘How to Boil Water.’ He hosted this Food Network series from 1993 to 1995. He then hosted ‘Essence of Emeril,’ which was also aired on the Food Network.
Lagasse Won an Award for ‘Emeril Live’
One of the series hosted by Emeril Lagasse was ‘Emeril Live,’ which aired from 1997 to 2007. In the series’s first season, it won a Cable Ace Award for Best International Show.
He Has Hosted a Culinary Travel Show
Lagasse has hosted a culinary travel series called ‘Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse,’ which was aired on Amazon Prime Video. The series followed Lagasse visiting various international locations along with other celebrity chefs. These included Mario Batali, Jose Andres, Aaron Sanchez, Angela Dimayuga, and Danny Bowien. In each location, the chefs sampled the local food. The series won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Program in 2017.
Lagasse Has Participated in Various Cooking Competitions
Emeril Lagasse has participated in various televised cooking competitions. These include ‘Top Chef, ‘Top Chef: Texas,’ ‘Top Chef: New Orleans,’ ‘Iron Chef America,’ and ‘Menu Master.’
He Has Had Acting Roles
Lagasse starred as a fictionalised version of himself in the short-lived sitcom ‘Emeril.’ He has also had a guest role in the animation ‘Space Ghost Coast to Coast’ and a voice role in the film ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ He has also appeared as himself in the film ‘Last Holiday’ and in an episode of the drama series ‘Treme.’
Other Emeril Lagasse Facts
He Has a Range of Kitchenware
Emeril Lagasse has various branded products. These include two lines of knives, a line of kitchen electrical appliances, and a range of cookware. He also has a line of dry grocery products called ‘Emeril’s,’ and this includes marinades, pasta sauces, a signature spice blend, and salsas. Lagasse also has a range of fresh products produced by Pride of San Juan. These include heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spring mix salad blends.
Lagasse Founded a Charitable Foundation
In 2002, Emeril Lagasse founded The Emeril Lagasse Foundation. It aims to create opportunities for disadvantaged children. The foundation has distributed more than $6 million in grants to various children’s charities.
He Loves Potato Chips
Although he is famous for creating stunning dishes, Emeril Lagasse eats junk food occasionally. He told ABC News that potato chips have been his favourite junk food since he was a child.