Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse says he’s more concerned than ever about Gulf Coast children and hopes the more than $500,000 in grants he’s committing for culinary education and summer camp programs will help to enrich lives tattered since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”These kids are the future. They’re the future of New Orleans,” said Lagasse, after announcing the grants at one of his two New Orleans restaurants. Read more »

Total Granted Since January 2006 is Now Over $1 millionNEW ORLEANS, LA (May 9, 2007) – Chef Emeril Lagasse announced today over $500,000 in grants donated by his Foundation toward culinary education and children’s summer programs in the New Orleans area at a reception at Emeril’s Restaurant. With this round of grants, over $1 million has been awarded by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to New Orleans children’s organizations since January 2006.The programs receiving support will provide New Orleans youth with fun, safe and educational activities during summer break and allow for capital improvement of existing innovative projects. St. Michael Special School, a longtime beneficiary of Chef Emeril Lagasse, will receive funds to renovate its life skills academic lab and kitchen. The Edible Schoolyard at Green Charter School will be able to build an outdoor classroom to serve as the focal point of its edible garden. Read more »

New Orleans today is a volatile mix of anger and hope. The anger surges from the raw memories and broken promises that linger in the wake of hurricane Katrina. The hope blooms from events such as Carnivale du Vin, which raised more than $2.5 million to benefit the city’s children in a star-studded culinary event in October. ( Wine Spectator was among the event’s sponsors.)
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Gala and Auction Raises Record Amount for New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA (October 30, 2006) – Carnivale du Vin, a culinary event and fundraiser for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation raised over $2.5 million dollars to benefit children in the New Orleans area. The sold-out event began with a reception showcasing the chefs of all nine of Emeril’s restaurants, and special Carnivale du Vin bottling, created by honorary event “Bacchus” Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. Afterwards, there was a five course seated dinner featuring food and wine pairings by the world’s top chefs Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and local pastry chef duo Tariq Hanna and Joel Dondis; with wines by some of the country’s most renowned vintners including Joseph Bastianich (Bastianich Vineyards), Grace and Ken Evenstad (Domaine Serene), Carol and Fred Schrader (Schrader Cellars), Jayson Woodbridge (Hundred Acre), and Suzie and Paul Frank (Gemstone Vineyards).
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Capital infusions : Last week, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation announced it was awarding $125,000 in “community impact” grants to help finance culinary education and summer camp programs.

Cafe Reconcile was among the grant recipients. The Central City cafe, which helps at-risk youth acquire skills in the restaurant business, received $25,000.

Also, the Willie Mae’s rebuilding project received $30,000 from the James Beard Foundation.

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Times-Picayune

Quick Bites
Friday, June 23, 2006
Brett Anderson
Restaurant writer

Brett Anderson writes about restaurants. He can be reached at banderson@timespicayune.com or at (504) 826-3353.

EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION’S “CARNIVALE DU VIN” RAISES $1.4 MILLION TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN NEW ORLEANS

Michael McDonald Performs New Orleans Tribute with Sammy Hagar and Emeril Lagasse

LAS VEGAS, NV (November 29, 2005) – Carnivale du Vin, a culinary event and fundraiser for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation raised $1.4 million dollars to benefit children in the New Orleans area whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina. The evening featured a musical performance by Michael McDonald who performed a song that he wrote as a special tribute to New Orleans, especially for the evening’s performance, for which he was joined on stage by Sammy Hagar on guitar and vocals and Emeril Lagasse on percussion. Musician Jimmy Buffett was also on hand to lend his support, while Andre Agassi auctioned off a private tennis lesson with himself and wife Stefi Graf during the evening’s live auction. Over 600 guests attended the inaugural event which took place on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
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