Emeril Lagasse

Emeril Lagasse is a celebrity chef and TV personality best known for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril. Lagasse grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts, and developed an interest in cooking early on. He worked in a local bakery as a teenager before attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Lagasse began his professional career in fine dining, eventually becoming executive chef at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans in 1982. He opened his first restaurant, Emeril’s, in 1990, which quickly gained national attention.

He became a household name in the 1990s through his Food Network series Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live, where his catchphrases and interactive cooking segments made him a fan favorite. Lagasse has written several best-selling cookbooks and owns a number of restaurants across the U.S. He has received multiple awards, including the James Beard Foundation Award, and he was named Humanitarian of the Year by the foundation in 2013. He has also appeared on Top Chef, Emeril’s Table and Emeril Cooks.

Lagasse was married to Elizabeth Kief from 1978 to 1986, and they welcomed children Jessica (born in 1979) and Jillie (born in 1981) before their split. He was married to Tari Hohn from 1989 to 1996. In 2000, he tied the knot with Alden Lovelace, and they share children Emeril John Lagasse IV (born in 2003) and Meril Lovelace (born in 2004).