Emeril Promotes Two Seasoned Veterans to Gulfport Restaurant at Island View Casino Resort

Gulfport, MS (Wednesday, March 28, 2007) — Emeril Lagasse has selected long-time Gulf Coast resident and Chef, Steve D’Angelo, as chef de cuisine at his upcoming Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House at the Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, while Jason Lonigro of Emeril’s Delmonico in New Orleans will serve as general manager. The restaurant is expected to open at Island View this summer.D’Angelo is intimately connected with the Gulf Coast area and knows the appeal of its abundant seafood. He and his wife Rebecca served as proprietors of the Bay St. Louis hot-spot Bay City Grill for over six years. Before taking over Bay City Grill in 2001, D’Angelo trained under Emeril Lagasse in 1996 at his flagship restaurant, Emeril’s Restaurant, NOLA in the French Quarter and in Las Vegas, where he helped open Delmonico Steakhouse in 1999. D’Angelo returned to the Emeril’s family in November 2006, after closing his Bay St. Louis restaurant, which sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina.General Manager Jason Lonigro began working at Emeril’s Restaurant as a server in 2002, quickly climbing the chain of command from captain to manager. Most recently the dining room manager at Emeril’s Delmonico, Lonigro played an integral part in the restaurant’s reopening after Hurricane Katrina. He is enthusiastic to be a part of the Gulfport community and the rebuilding efforts on the Gulf Coast.Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House was designed by Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas and will be a sister restaurant to the award-winning Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House in Las Vegas.

About Island View Casino Resort

Island View Casino Resort opened on Sept. 18 as the only casino in Gulfport, Miss. The land-based casino, located on 40 acres of waterfront property, currently offers a 30,000-square-foot casino with 15 table games and 1,033 slots. Island View has 562 hotel rooms and a 350-seat buffet. Upon final build out, which is expected to be in the spring of 2007, Island View will feature a 520,000-square-foot resort with 80,000-square feet of casino space including more than 2,100 slots and 46 table games, as well as an Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House, a 24-hour restaurant, the View Bar, a feature lounge offering live entertainment, and a covered parking garage. Island View Casino Resort is privately held by Rick Carter and Terry Green, two Gulfport natives and longtime casino executives committed to the post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

About Emeril Lagasse

Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of nine award-winning restaurants including three in New Orleans (Emeril’s, NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico); two in Las Vegas (Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House and Delmonico Steakhouse); two in Orlando (Emeril’s Orlando and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop); one in Atlanta (Emeril’s Atlanta) and one in Miami (Emeril’s Miami Beach). Lagasse became a national TV personality with the Food Network’s productions, “The Essence of Emeril” and “Emeril Live” and he is also a food correspondent for “Good Morning America.” A best-selling author, his creative approach to Creole cuisine is best summarized as “new” New Orleans cooking, also the title of his first cookbook. Eleven more cookbooks have followed including his most recent books Emeril’s Delmonico, and Emeril’s There’s a Chef in My World. Lagasse has received accolades and awards for his culinary expertise. In September 2002, Emeril established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support and encourage programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children. Lagasse’s corporate office, Emeril’s Homebase, is located in New Orleans.

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