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 a degree from Johnson and Wales University, and later received an honorary Doctorate degree as well.

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, Chef Emeril established his star at their legendary restaurant, Commander's Palace, where he was executive chef for seven and a half years.

In 1990 Lagasse left Commander's and opened Emeril's Restaurant in New Orleans' Warehouse District.  Acclaimed one of America's great new restaurants, Emeril couldn't meet demand for reservations.  Two years later, Emeril opened NOLA, in New Orleans' French Quarter. Now Lagasse is Chef-Proprietor of ten restaurants including Delmonico's, his third in New Orleans.  Emeril operates two restaurants in Las Vegas, two in Orlando, one in Miami and one in Atlanta. He's just opened his newest, in Gulfport Mississippi.

In addition to his restaurants, Emeril is a prolific author, with twelve cookbooks published since his first in 1993, the breakout New New Orleans Cooking©, Of course, most people know Emeril from his television shows and appearances.  Emeril Live© on the Food Network is the longest running prime-time cooking show in television history, with over 1600 episodes aired to date.  The Essence of Emeril©,  also on the Food Network, offers a more laid back approach by the master chef.  Emeril also presents quick and timely cooking ideas on his frequent ABC Network Good Morning America© appearances.

With success comes more responsibility, and in 2002 Emeril started the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to fund education projects for children.  In addition to Emeril’s time and resources, the foundation’s outreach efforts have raised millions of dollars for charitable projects.