Two ‘Operation Emeril’ Specials Celebrating Military Families Launches the Week of July 4

Silver Spring, Md. – Celebrity Chef extraordinaire Emeril Lagasse, host of Planet Green’s Emeril Green, is whipping up four new specials that will have viewers hungry for more. The first course of this delicious trio, dedicated to the men and women of the armed forces, will be served on Monday, June 29 beginning at 8:00 p.m. E/P.

Chef Emeril takes charge and commands the ranks when he visits the Army Center of Excellence Subsistence (ACES) at Fort Lee in Richmond, VA.  Here he meets service men and women who are training to become military cooks across all branches of service and are learning the ropes in a containerized kitchen. Lagasse immediately launches “Operation Emeril” and shows the soldiers how to:

•    Think “outside the box” when presented with standard ingredients
•    Mix new combinations of food while in the kitchen
•    Prepare impressive, healthy, delicious meals for the masses

It’s all in a day’s work in these half-hour back-to-back episodes premiering on June 29, with “Operation Emeril” at 8:00 p.m. followed by “Emeril Salutes the Military” at 8:30 p.m. E/P.

“I couldn’t be more honored to have the opportunity to work with these dedicated men and women as they develop new menus to feed our country’s finest,” Lagasse said. “Our troops deserve to have the freshest ingredients and all of the bold flavors that they love from back home as they continue to protect and serve.”

“Chef Emeril Lagasse is constantly striving to bring a new point of view to even the most classic recipes. Each of these specials are the perfect vehicle to do just that, by highlighting seasonal dishes that use local ingredients to support community agriculture.” said Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager of Planet Green.  “Chef will be showing a different perspective of food preparation that will inspire both the novice as well as the experienced cook.”

Later this season, as the dog days of summer wind down and Labor Day approaches, Chef Emeril fires up the barbeque and heads out into the Virginia countryside! Lagasse visits a local farmstead where he shows viewers how to prepare a smokin’ end-of-summer meal in “Grillin’ with Emeril” premiering Monday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m. E/P.  Join the community cookout as Chef Emeril presents his best grilling tips and techniques, and explores the resources required to bring things from the field to the table. Lagasse takes viewers on an in-depth tour of the farm and showcases:

•    How local farms impact the food chain
•    Rotational grazing
•    Grilling options, grill cleaning, and more

The last stop on this culinary field trip for Chef Emeril will be in Napa Valley to dig up some of the region’s most prized wines and food products.  Premiering September 2009, Lagasse will explore wine country as well as the rich culinary traditions that have become synonymous with the area:

•    Artisanal cheeses
•    Olive farms
•    Vineyards

Emeril Green (airing Mondays at 8:00 p.m. E/P), hosted by Chef Emeril Lagasse, helps real people solve cooking problems by utilizing fresh and organic sources of food to promote a healthier lifestyle. Many of the meals prepared on the show support sustainable fare by choosing ingredients from local sources and free trade options.  Shot mainly on location at Whole Foods Market®, Lagasse works with everyday cooks who have real culinary challenges.

Filed Under: Press Releases