Hey there, food lovers! Let me tell you about one of the most iconic chefs to ever grace our TV screens: Emeril Lagasse. You remember him, right? The guy with the catchphrase "Bam!" who cooked up a storm on shows like The Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live? Well, guess what? Emeril's not just sitting back and enjoying retirement. He's still out there, rocking the culinary world. Stick around, and I'll fill you in on what he's up to these days and how his son, E.J., is stepping into the spotlight.
What Happened After Emeril Live Went Off the Air?
Let’s rewind to 2007 when Emeril Live came to an end. Now, you might think that would’ve been the end of Emeril’s TV career, but hold up! The Massachusetts-born chef didn’t just disappear. In 2008, Emeril made a bold move by selling his entire brand—yes, the TV shows, the cookbooks, the kitchen gadgets, even the food products—to none other than Martha Stewart’s company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Can you imagine that? A deal worth a cool $45 million in cash and an additional $5 million in stock. Now that’s what I call a smart business move!
Martha herself chimed in on the deal, saying, “His tastes are very different from mine, as is his food, and I think that’s good. Being complementary and different is better than being competitive.” Translation: Emeril and Martha might have different approaches, but together, they create a powerful culinary empire.
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Where Is Emeril Lagasse Now?
Fast forward to today, and Emeril is still making waves in the food world. He owns five restaurants under his Emeril’s Restaurants Group banner. Two are in the heart of New Orleans, two are in the bustling city of Las Vegas, and one is located in sunny Florida. These eateries continue to serve up the vibrant, bold flavors that Emeril is famous for. It’s clear that Emeril’s passion for cooking hasn’t faded one bit.
Meet E.J. Lagasse: The Next Generation of Lagasse Chefs
Now, let’s talk about Emeril’s son, E.J. Lagasse. E.J. is the youngest of Emeril’s five children and is following in his dad’s footsteps. He recently took on the role of chef patron at Emeril’s first namesake restaurant in New Orleans after graduating from culinary school in May 2022. That’s right—E.J. is officially part of the Lagasse legacy!
Emeril opened up about the transition during an interview with CBS News in February 2023. “In life, passing the torch is not as easy as it sounds,” he admitted. “But when you’re confident of passing the torch, then it becomes much easier.” E.J., for his part, expressed excitement about working alongside his dad. “We’re creating something out of absolute love,” he said. “When we come in and we get to do that with passion, and respect for the past—and also an eye on the future—it’s the greatest joy ever.”
But E.J. isn’t the only Lagasse kid making a name for himself in the food world. Emeril’s daughters Jillian and Jessica also run a popular blog called The Lagasse Girls and have authored several cookbooks, including The Gluten Free Table and The Lagasse Girls’ Big Flavor, Bold Taste and No Gluten. It’s safe to say that the Lagasse family has cooking in their blood.
