EMERIL LAGASSE, MARIO BATALI, SAM CHOY, DANIEL BOULUD, TODD ENGLISH, NOBU MATSUHISA, MICHAEL MINA, LUCIANO PELLEGRINI, DAVID ROBINS, JOACHIM SPLICHAL, JULIAN SERRANO, CHARLIE TROTTER & NORMAN VAN AKEN JOIN TOGETHER FOR “CARNIVALE DU VIN” TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN NEW ORLEANS

LAS VEGAS, NV (October 7, 2005) – Chef/Restaurateur Emeril Lagasse has announced that Carnivale du Vin, a culinary event and fundraiser for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The fundraiser was originally planned to take place in Lagasse’s beloved city of New Orleans on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 before the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“It was our hope to hold the inaugural event in New Orleans, but we can’t ask a city in need to support an event of this magnitude in the near future,” says Emeril Lagasse. “While the event will be held in Las Vegas this year, Carnivale du Vin will pay tribute to New Orleans, celebrating the spirit and undeniable energy of the city, while helping raise funds for children in New Orleans whose lives have been affected by Katrina.”

At the event, Chef Emeril Lagasse will induct fellow chefs including Mario Batali, Sam Choy, Daniel Boulud, Todd English, Nobu Matsuhisa, Michael Mina, David Robins, Joachim Splichal, Julian Serrano, Charlie Trotter and Norman Van Aken into the “Krewe du Vin.” The event will feature a reception with 20 food and wine pairing stations with each chef paired with a winemaker from one of the country’s top wineries including Au Bon Climat, Bastianich Vineyards, Bonny Doon Vineyards, Caymus Vineyards, Chappellet, Domaine Serene, Gemstone Vineyard, Hundred Acres Vineyards, Lewis Cellars, Qupe Vineyards, Pahlmeyer Winery, Schrader Cellars, Spottswoode Estate Vineyards, and William Selyem. The evening will continue with a musical performance by Michael McDonald, and a top-notch auction with offerings in rare wines, culinary adventures, luxury travel, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Auction lots will include a Trip to Italy with Chef Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich of Bastianich Vineyards; a private tennis lesson with tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and the Ultimate Food Network Experience with Emeril Lagasse.

Money raised from “Carnivale du Vin” will go to support the children of the New Orleans area whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Foundation’s beneficiaries include St. Michael’s Special School, America’s Second Harvest (Kids Café, Café Reconcile), and Covenant House.

Carnivale du Vin tickets are $1000 per person. Availability is limited. Black tie attire is recommended. For more information, please call (866) 513-0083 or (702) 414-1500. The Venetian has extended a group rate for the event, please call (877) 283-6423 and mention the code RCARN. Sponsorships are also available. Please contact kshannon@emeril.org.

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. His continuous efforts to support and be actively involved with children’s charities allows him the opportunity to not only raise funds for his Foundation, but to create partnerships that help others with their own charitable endeavors. The Foundation combines the energy and passion of Chef Emeril, along with that of his many friends and partners, in order to have greater impact on the communities where Emeril’s restaurants operate, and to benefit the charitable recipients it supports.

Through innovative partnerships, 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.

WHAT:
Put on your dancing shoes and appetite for this weekend’s Crescent City ThrowDown, the Hurricane Katrina benefit for New Orleans musicians. Louisiana musical favorites Beausoleil and the SubDudes will play while Chef de Cuisine Chris Wilson of Emeril’s New Orleans cooks in appreciation of the music and culture of the Crescent City.

Chef Wilson will prepare Emeril’s signature New Orleans Style Barbecued Shrimp, Crabmeat Remoulade, Seafood & Andouille Sausage Gumbo and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding with Anglaise Sauce.

Proceeds of the event will go directly to The Preservation Hall “Do You Know What it Means” Foundation and Tipitina’s Artist Relief Foundation. Both foundations have set up special chapters specifically designed to assist New Orleans-based musicians/music industry workers in the wake of Katrina.

WHEN:
Sunday, October 2, 2005
5:30 - 7 p.m.

WHERE:
The Variety Playhouse 1099 Euclid Avenue – Little Five Points - Atlanta (404) 524-7354

HOW:
VIP packages are $150 and include early admittance, VIP parking, backstage meet and greet, and cuisine from Emeril’s.

Go to www.crescentcitythrowdown.com for information.

On Friday, May 27, 2005, Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans will present a wine and food seminar entitled, “Breaking the Rules: White Wine with Red Meat.” Chef Chris Wilson and Sommelier Matt Lirette, along with moderator Michael Green, a wine educator and consultant, will explore the world of versatile white wines, pairing them with some of your favorite red meats.

The seminar is part of the 14th Annual New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) — a five day event featuring seminars, wine dinners, grand tastings, and more.

For more information, please call 504-529-WINE, or register online at www.nowfe.com.

While everybody else is claiming to be “Out of the Box”, Emerils.com is jumping right into a BOX…a Gift Box that is. Emerils.com has launched an entire section of the store front completely devoted to Emeril’s Gift Boxes. From stocking your own kitchen pantry to surprising your child with their very first chefs starter kit, you’ll find a little something for everyone on your gift list.
Read more »

Tell Us Who You Think Deserves Breakfast in Bed from Chef Emeril Lagasse in 2005

Emeril Lagasse fans wait for his Breakfast in Bed contest each year. It’s their chance to tell Emeril their own story about a personal hero who they believe deserves breakfast in bed.
Read more »

Some of the world’s top chefs and wine experts including Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Jacques Pepin, Bobby Flay, Andrea Immer, Joshua Wesson and Kevin Zraly will appear at the 23rd annual FOOD & WINE Magazine Classic in Aspen, CO, June 10-12, 2005.

For three days, Aspen will be the backdrop for the ultimate food and wine adventure. This epicurean event will include over 100 seminars, five Grand Tastings featuring 300 vintners from around the globe, and the chance to get up-close with dozens of celebrated chefs and winemakers.

Tickets are $850 before March 15, $950 thereafter. Consumers can register by calling 877-900-WINE. For more information, visit www.foodandwine.com/classic.

# # #

“Chefs Charity for Children” Benefiting St. Michael Special School

Monday, January 24 and Tuesday, January 25
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
10:00 am until 2:00 pm

The annual event benefits St. Michael Special School in New Orleans, which serves students 6 to 21 years and older who are developmentally disabled. There is also a program for young adults 22 years and older who attend the Joy Center on the St. Michael’s campus. St. Michael was founded in 1965 by the late Sister Lillian McCormack. It has served more than 5,700 students from the metropolitan and outlying areas of New Orleans.

This year, local chef Emeril Lagasse has invited his friend and fellow Food Network star Chef Mario Batali to the event. Batali is a New York restaurateur (Babbo, Esca and Otto) and is the host of Molto Mario, Mario Eats Italy, and Ciao America on Food Network. He is the author of Mario Batali Holiday Food (Clarkson Potter, 2000), Simple Italian Food (Clarkson Potter, 1998), and The Babbo Cookbook (Clarkson Potter, 2002).

Both Emeril and Mario will do cooking demonstrations for the crowd along with top New Orleans area chefs including John Besh (Restaurant August), Frank Brigtsen (Brigtsen’s), Leah Chase (Dooky Chase), John Folse (Lafitte’s Landing, Bittersweet Plantation), Goffredo Fraccaro and Aldo Marcon (La Riviera), Chris Kerageorgiou (La Provence), Gunter Preuss (Broussard’s), Wong Brothers (Trey Yuen) and David Woodward (Hilton).

Tickets are $45 each, or $450 for a table of ten
(This entitles the guest to viewing of cooking demos, coffee and sweets, a chance to win a prize, and a 2005 Chefs Charity Cookbook)

Tickets are available by calling St. Michael Special School at 504-524-6551

Calendar/Column Updates
Emeril In The Harvest Sun Weekend At Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks Ranch
Tickets On Sale Now at Ticketweb.com
Proceeds Benefit the Emeril Lagasse Foundation

There are three events September 24-25, 2004
Package Tickets Available All Events In Hopland, Mendocino County

Emeril Under The Stars Friday, Sept. 24 5:30 p.m. until event closes
$300 per person, limited to 188 guests

Gala reception and four-course dinner prepared by Chef Emeril Lagasse assisted by Fetzer Executive Chef Bridget Harrington and chefs from Emeril’s restaurants. Paddles available for exceptional live auction conducted by Fritz Hatton. Dine al fresco in the Reserve Garden at Fetzer’s Valley Oaks Ranch in Hopland, Mendocino County. Dancing to the music of New Orleans recording artist Jeremy Davenport. Dress is Wine Country Semi-Formal. Available as part of the Jeroboam package.

Emeril In The Harvest Sun Saturday, Sept. 25 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$125 per person

A day long food and wine festival highlighted by an Emeril Lagasse cooking demonstration. Release party for the second vintage of Emeril’s Classic Wines. Gourmet picnic lunch included. Wine, cheese, chocolate and olive oil tastings. Seminars including home winemaking, barrel making, sensory perception and more. Music performed by New Orleans recording artist Jeremy Davenport. Special presentations and appearances by noted cookbook and wine authors including Chef John Ash and his new book Cooking One on One. Live and silent auctions featuring wines and Emeril sponsored products. ABC/KGO’s Dining Around With Gene Burns will broadcast live from the event, as will KSRO’s Garden Talk and Good Food Hour with Steve Garner. Garden tours. Available as part of the Magnum package.

Emeril Under The Harvest Moon Saturday, Sept. 25 5 - 9 p.m.
$150 per person, limited to 300 guests Hosted at the Old Barn at Fetzer’s Hopland Winery
To close out the harvest celebration weekend Emeril and his chefs have personally developed a kicked-up BAM B Q! and plan to hang out and kick up heels to the music of big band Rhythmtown-Jive, one of Northern California’s hottest, rafter rattling bands. This is partying New Orleans style as we bless the grapes and celebrate a new vintage. Available as part of the Magnum package.

Details on all events are found on the web at Fetzer.com Adult oriented, no children please.
Tickets available exclusively at Ticketweb.com or by calling toll-free to (866) 468-3399
Limited number of packages available for all events (Jeroboam) or Saturday (Magnum)

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation is a 501c3 organization, with contributions deductible as allowed by law. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation provides funding for programs that inspire and mentor young people, including Mendocino’s Growing Healthy Kids From The Ground Up program.

Note to Editors: Digital photography available from last year’s events