Chef Emeril Lagasse received his first culinary experience from his mother, Hilda, when he was growing up in the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts. As a teenager, he worked at a Portuguese bakery where he mastered the art of bread and pastry baking. He passed up a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music to pursue a career as a professional chef. And the rest is history. A graduate of Johnson & Wales (with an honorary degree), and has trained in Paris and Lyon, France.

Early jobs were in fine restaurants in New York and at Commander's Palace in New Orleans. He is now the chef-proprietor of ten restaurants around the country and has received numerous awards for excellence. He was inducted into the Menu Masters Hall of Fame by Nation's Restaurant News in 2006 and was named 2007 "Restaurateur of the Year" by New Orleans City Business. He's a national TV personality, has hosted over 1,500 shows on the Food Network, and is seen in more than 85 million homes daily. He's received numerous awards and Emmy nominations, is a best-selling author, and has a charitable foundation that supports and encourages programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children. See "Emeril Live" and experience the magic that makes this man a best-loved chef.