NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 20, 2006) – Emeril Lagasse Foundation, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Celebrate Jazz LLC announce an educational cooking concert entitled “Cookin’ with Music” featuring Chef Emeril Lagasse and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, along with the Wynton Marsalis Jazz Septet, to be held Monday, August 28, 2006 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The pair of nationally renowned personalities with roots in New Orleans will educate and entertain on the cultural similarities and creativity involved in both the culinary and musical artforms. The program is free of charge for 4,000 school children in the New Orleans area.

“Wynton and I have created a fun-focused educational performance to share our love of cooking and music with New Orleans area children as they kick-off the new school year,” said Lagasse. “What better way to instill pride and hope for the future than to showcase how cooking and music, two things that New Orleans is known for, go hand in hand.”

The program features a cooking demonstration of Jivin’ Jambalaya, alongside hip jazz education by Marsalis. The pair will explore themes from fundamentals to rhythms and finally, improvisation. They will encourage kids to get creative in the kitchen and the classroom.

For attendance information, school administrators should contact Emeril Lagasse Foundation at 504.212.2222 or visit www.emeril.org for details. We are encouraging attendance by students in grades third through ninth. Schools should arrange for chaperones. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Bus transportation is graciously being provided by Hotard Coaches, Inc.
About the Emeril Lagasse Foundation (ELF): The Emeril Lagasse Foundation seeks to inspire, mentor and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive and creative individuals. The foundation supports and encourages programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children within communities where Emeril’s restaurants operate. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation was established in the Spring of 2002, and is the realization of Chef Emeril’s dream to improve the quality of young people’s lives.

Through innovative partnerships, educational programs and special events, along with support from corporate and individual donations, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation embraces a unique opportunity to grant funds to children’s organizations that have a culinary and/or educational component, and to eventually enrich the lives of many young people through the creative art of cooking so that they may look towards a future of creativity, opportunity and hope
For more information on the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, please visit www.emeril.org.

Filed Under: Charitable Events