ORLANDO, FL (Thursday, February 12, 2009) – Revered Chef Emeril Lagasse has named Gregory Richie to lead the kitchen at his Polynesian-Asian restaurant Emeril’s Tchoup Chop as Chef de Cuisine. Emeril’s Tchoup Chop is located at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando and serves dinner seven nights a week, from 5:30pm-10:00pm Sunday-Thursday, and until 11:00pm Friday-Saturday.

Lagasse takes his first-ever Asian concept to a new level with the inspired creations of Chef Richie – a veteran of popular fine dining establishments in Orlando, Hawaii, Georgia and South Carolina. Most recently, he was admired for his work at Roy’s Restaurant, and was voted “Chef of the Year” by readers of Orlando Magazine in 2004. Read more »

Finalists Heat Up The Competition In A Two-Part Finale –
Part 1 Premieres Wednesday, February 18 At 10 PM ET/PT;
Part 2 Names Winner On Wednesday, February 25 At 10 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK – January 20, 2009 – The final chef’testants will need to “kick it up a notch” to impress famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse in the eclectic city of New Orleans as part of the two-episode finale of Bravo’s “Top Chef: New York,” beginning with a supersized episode on Wednesday, February 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The winner will be revealed on Wednesday, February 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In a surprise twist of events, there will be extra special challenges in the finale of “Top Chef: New York.”

Lagasse, chef/proprietor of Emeril’s Restaurant, NOLA, and Emeril’s Delmonico in New Orleans said about his experience on “Top Chef”:

“In Louisiana, we have an amazing selection of local ingredients: andouille sausage, frog legs, turtle, catfish and rabbit. I was interested in seeing if the chefs would venture out and really try to explore our local flavors and culture. The challenge for some was finding a balance between the bold spices we love and their own personal style. All I can say is that you’ll definitely want to go back for seconds for some of their final dishes!”

MIAMI – (Jan. 7, 2009) – Renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse will preside on Wednesday, February 4, over celebrations for the fifth anniversary of Emeril’s Miami Beach, the South Beach outpost of his beloved New Orleans flagship restaurant. Together with Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Lagasse and guests will enjoy an evening full of spectacular entertainment and, of course, delectable cuisine.

The invitation-only reception will begin at 7 p.m. at Emeril’s Miami Beach, located at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel (1601 Collins Ave), with all the proceeds directly benefiting Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Foundation’s primary mission is to create awareness and generate funds for Miami Children’s Hospital, South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children.“It is a joy to be a part of the fifth anniversary celebration of Emeril’s Miami Beach,” said Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation President Lucy Morillo. “We deeply appreciate the heartfelt support shown by Emeril and his team, and are honored to have such a celebrated figure as part of our Miami Children’s Hospital family.”

In addition to delicious food that reflects the epitome of the Emeril’s Miami Beach menu, guests will enjoy a special performance by New Orleans jazz vocalist and trumpeter Jeremy Davenport. Davenport, a featured musical guest on “Emeril Live,” has recorded with Harry Connick Jr. and is presently working on his third studio album. Seven-year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick also will perform. Bortnick is an avid supporter of Miami Children’s Hospital and the Foundation, crediting the hospital with saving his little brother Nathan’s life when he was just a newborn.

“I’m thrilled to reunite with my dear friends and the amazing people of this community for such a worthy cause,” said Chef Lagasse. “I look forward to sharing some great food and toasting five wonderful years, in addition to all the good work Miami Children’s Hospital and its Foundation have provided to the children and families of Miami.”

The host committee for the fifth anniversary of Emeril’s Miami Beach is chaired by Michael Aller, Hannah & Gene Bortnick, Romero Britto, Patricia & Thomas Cornish, Vivian & JC Mas, Shawn Hauver, Alden & Emeril Lagasse, Eric Linquest, Lucy Morillo, Bibiana and Mario Murgado, Norma & Luis Quintero, Leticia Pino, Jacquelynn D. Powers, Sandi & Jerry Powers, Monica & Rick Schatz, Lee Schrager, Jerry South, Lyle Stern, Jonathan Tisch, Nicole & Edgar Lozano and Jocelyn & Eric Woolworth.

Partners for this celebratory event include Ocean Drive Magazine, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida, Towne Park, Children’s Craniofacial Association and 3 Dimension Graphics Inc.Emeril’s Miami Beach is the third outpost of Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurant. Guests can experience the irresistible style of cuisine known as “new” New Orleans, along with signature tastes created exclusively for South Beach. The high-energy establishment, nestled in the historic St. Moritz Hotel building at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, blends Louisiana’s Creole cooking with the Latin-tinged rhythms of South Florida and the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.

For additional information on Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, please visit www.mchf.org.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 20, 2008) – Emeril’s Homebase, the corporate office for Lagasse’s restaurant company, today announced a multi-faceted marketing partnership with the New Orleans Hornets for the 2008-2009 season.

As part of the agreement, Emeril’s New Orleans, NOLA Restaurant and Emeril’s Delmonico will become an official fine dining partner of the Hornets. The agreement extends Emeril’s restaurant presence to fans, through branded signage displayed in the New Orleans Arena and placement inside the Hornets game-time program. In addition, Emeril’s restaurants will be featured during half time on-court promotions at Hornets home games throughout the season, and at other exclusive promotional events.

“Emeril’s restaurants represent the best in New Orleans cuisine, and we are excited to welcome them to the Hornets family,” says Hornets Owner George Shinn.  “We look forward to growing our partnership throughout the season and into the future as we work together to provide our fans with a memorable game-night experience.” 

“We are excited to be in partnership with this outstanding team,” says Marti Dalton, director of marketing at Emeril’s Homebase.  “The Hornets are a huge asset to New Orleans and we want to support the team and their fans.” 

The next Hornets game is on Saturday, November 22 at 7:00pm, as the team takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the New Orleans Arena. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting www.hornets.com or by calling 504-525-HOOP.

For reservations at Emeril’s New Orleans, NOLA Restaurant or Emeril’s Delmonico, please call 1-888-EMERIL-8 (1-888-363-7458) or visit emerils.com.

Premier Wine Event Funds First “Edible Kitchen” in the Southeast

NEW ORLEANS (November 19, 2008) –  The Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s annual Carnivale du Vin, rated a “Top 10” charity wine auction in the nation by Wine Spectator magazine, raised $1.7 million dollars to benefit children’s arts, culinary and education programs in the Gulf South.  More than 600 guests attended the premier wine auction and gala at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Saturday, November 15.

To further the growth of the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans at Samuel J. Green Charter School, Chef Emeril Lagasse announced a $200,000 grant from the Foundation to fund the new Edible Kitchen & Cafeteria. Chef Alice Waters was present to receive the grant as a special Carnivale du Vin honoree. Read more »

– Sesame Street’s Elmo Makes a Special Appearance to Help Celebrate the Holidays –

(Silver Spring, Md.) – Chef Emeril Lagasse is adding a little more green to this holiday season during a new, one-hour episode of Planet Green’s EMERIL GREEN.  In addition to Whole Foods Market friends and food experts, special guest Elmo, from the celebrated children’s program Sesame Street, will join Chef Lagasse in Whole Foods for a fun holiday celebration.  EMERIL GREEN’s “Home for the Holidays” episode premieres Monday, December 1, 2008, at 8 PM (ET) on Planet Green. Read more »

– Special One-Hour EMERIL GREEN Episode Airs Monday, November 3 from 8-9 PM (ET) –

(Silver Spring, Md.) – This Thanksgiving, Chef Emeril Lagasse is helping families across America celebrate the autumn harvest using the highest-quality, locally grown produce, seafood and meats in a special all-new episode of Planet Green’s EMERIL GREEN.   Premiering Monday, November 3, 2008, from 8-9 PM (ET), Planet Green viewers will join Chef Lagasse as he prepares a uniquely delicious Thanksgiving Day dinner for local farmers using fresh, seasonal ingredients provided by those same farmers who are located within 150 miles of the Whole Foods Market where EMERIL GREEN is filmed. Read more »

Proceeds from the Premier Gala and Wine Auction to Benefit Children’s Charities in the Gulf Coast Region

NEW ORLEANS (October 13, 2008) – New Orleans will become the center of the culinary universe as the Emeril Lagasse Foundation celebrates its 4th Annual Carnivale du Vin, which culminates on Saturday, November 15 with a star-studded gala and premier wine auction at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. Read more »

Emeril’s Coastal Fare Paired with Mississippi’s Brewery for Five Course Beer Dinner

Gulfport, MS (Monday, October 6, 2008) – Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House and Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, the first micro-brewer to produce beer made with roasted pecans, team up on Thursday, October 23, to create a five-course dinner paired with five signature Lazy Magnolia brews. Read more »

$325,000 Dedicated to Culinary Training, Education and Schoolyard Gardens

NEW ORLEANS, LA (September 29, 2008) – Emeril Lagasse Foundation (ELF) today announced $325,000 in grants to be awarded to nonprofit programs in the New Orleans area, bringing the Foundation’s total contributions to Gulf Coast organizations to over $2.3 million. The Foundation extends its partnership with the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) to establish the city’s first comprehensive 4-year professional training program in culinary arts for high school students. Other grants will provide New Orleans youth with nutrition, gardening, and food studies, as well as culinary and life skills development. Read more »