Tomorrow, Emeril's restaurant celebrates 20 years in business at 800 Tchoupitoulas (that's pronounced "chop it TOO las") Street in New Orleans. Today we welcomed friends, staff, partners, and even one well-known customer to share their favorite memories.
Check out our guest photos below, then take the party home with you: Download the FREE Emeril's 20th Anniverary Cookbook here! We've got all Chef's favorites, from Barbecue Shrimp to Banana Cream Pie, plus a few cocktails for good measure!
1 Minutes before the show begins, Chef Emeril waits for his cue.
2 First guest: Eric Linquest, who founded the restaurant with Emeril in 1990 and is now president of the entire company.
3 We snacked on buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven. (It is the South, y'all, come on!)
4 Chef David Slater looked relaxed while discussing the menus of the years, though he had a hectic time serving it up during last night's very busy dinner service.
5 Chef enjoyed talking to callers about his favorite Cajun dishes.
6 Sommelier Ray Gumpert started at the restaurant as a dishwasher, and now oversees an award-winning wine list with 1,600 selections.
7 Who dat? It's #91, Defensive End Will Smith of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. His favorite dish on the Emeril's menu is the chicken breast.
8 Chef is a little bit of a Saints fan.
9 General Manager Kevin Delaune has worked with Chef Emeril for 24 years, back to his days at Commander's Palace. He told us tales of famous guests like Frank Sinatra, who demanded pasta with red sauce and french fries...and then made off with the silverware!
10 Executive Director Kristin Shannon and Board Member Mark Romig from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation let us know how the nonprofit ensures that the communities around Emeril's restaurants share in his success.
From: Suzan | 4/20/10 at 1:15 am
Dear Emeril,
I love your cooking shows but I cannot say the same for your new show on ION. You don't look comfortable on the show and they are trying to make the show's format similar to Martha's show. Sorry Emeril, but Martha you're not. You don't look comfortable on the show and the show is all about Macy's, its products and whoever else you're promoting. That's not you - you are a CHEF first and a great entertainer at the same time. I miss the old you.
Suzan
From: recipes from the king of BAM! « fooding with emily | 4/28/10 at 3:45 pm
[...] link to the post [...]
From: Linda Phillips | 4/28/10 at 6:03 pm
cook books are a passion that i have.
From: vettechef | 5/2/10 at 11:27 pm
Emeril,
Your new show rocks!"Bamtastic" I have watched all 3 episodes so far.I myself was a chef of 25 years.I really enjoy the talk show format with the culinair flare.Cool Change,Keep it up.I only wish i was closer to NY.I am in San Antonio,Tx
From: joanna | 5/16/10 at 6:01 pm
Hello !!!!emeril love you show
From: Mary | 5/16/10 at 8:17 pm
Dear Emeril! Don't listen to "Susan"! You are one of a kind - can be compared to NO ONE - You are THE CHEF, Chef! Never change! You don't WANT TO BE Martha! Stay the same wonderful person you are right now! Mary
From: Paul Bartolotta on Italian vs Italian-American Food (and the Glory of a Good Banana Cream Pie) - Martha Stewart Living Radio: The Radio Blog | 5/23/11 at 1:57 pm
[...] (If that got you hungry for Emeril's pie, you can download the recipe in our free online cookbook.) [...]