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, Massachusetts. 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 his Doctorate degree through the culinary program at Johnson and Wales University. Lagasse then traveled to Paris and Lyon 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 seven restaurants including three in New Orleans, two in Las Vegas, and two in Orlando. In 1990, Chef Emeril opened Emeril's Restaurant in the chic Warehouse District in downtown New Orleans. Two years later, he opened Nola Restaurant in the French Quarter. In 1995, Emeril brought his "New New Orleans" cooking to Las Vegas and opened Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, located in the monumental MGM Grand Hotel. In 1998, Lagasse opened Emeril's Delmonico Restaurant and Bar in New Orleans' historic Garden District. He opened two restaurants in 1999 -- in February, he headed down to Florida to open Emeril's Restaurant Orlando at Universal Studios City Walk and in May, he opened Delmonico Steakhouse is in the Venetian Resort/Hotel/Casino. In January 2003, he opened Emeril's Tchoup Chop (pronounced chop-chop) at Universal Orlando's Royal Pacific Resort. Emeril's Restaurant Atlanta is slated to open in summer 2003.

The recognition and awards he has garnered have made him known to food-loving Americans everywhere. His restaurants consistently win critical praise and top ratings. Emeril's Restaurant was dubbed "Restaurant of the Year" by John Mariani in Esquire magazine in 1990 and received the coveted Wine Spectator "Grand Award" in 1991. Also in 1991, Lagasse was named "Best Southeast Regional Chef" by the James Beard Foundation. Most recently, Emeril's Restaurant earned the prestigious Ivy Award. Nola has achieved the status of "Best New Restaurant" by Esquire magazine in 1993 and has been recognized nationally by Travel & Leisure, Traveler and Southern Living magazines. His third restaurant, Emeril's New Orleans Fish House was named "Best Restaurant in Las Vegas" by Zagats. In 2002, Delmonico Steakhouse was named "Best Steakhouse" by Las Vegas Life magazine. Lagasse himself has also received accolades and awards for his culinary expertise. In 1991, Lagasse was named "Best Southeast Regional Chef" by the James Beard Foundation. In 1998 he was chosen as "Chef of the Year" by GQ magazine. In 1999, he was named one of People magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year."

Chef Emeril Lagasse is a national TV personality. Lagasse joined the Food Network in 1993 and celebrated his 1000th show with the network in 2001. He is the host of both The Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live, which reaches over 75 million homes daily. The former has been nominated for two Emmy Awards in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and was voted by Time magazine as one of the "Top 10 TV Shows" during 1996. The latter has won a Cable Ace Award for "Best Informational Series." Chef Emeril is also the food correspondent for Good Morning America and appears every Friday morning.

Lagasse is also a bestselling author. In 1993 he published the bestselling cookbook Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking which introduced his creative approach to Creole cuisine. Six other books have followed including Louisiana Real and Rustic, Emeril's Creole Christmas, Emeril's TV Dinners, Every Day's A Party, Prime Time Emeril and the kids' cookbook, Emeril, There's A Chef in My Soup! In 2000, Lagasse's book sales exceeded two million.

In September 2002, Emeril established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support and encourage programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children.

Author biography courtesy of the author's official web site.

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