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AP
Emeril Lagasse, who became one of the first stars on the fledgling Food Network and introduced "Bam!" to the popular lexicon, nearly went broke a few years ago. His unlikely knight-in-shining-armor was none other than domestic diva, Martha Stewart.
Hurricane Katrina was the culprit. Lagasse has three New Orleans restaurants and lost at least one million dollars, with profits dropping by a third. Also, his 17-year run on Food Network was over. Adding insult to injury: his Mississippi home was destroyed. It was precipitous times for the celebrity chef who opened his first restaurant over twenty years ago. But in 2008 Martha swept off her white horse (with a perfectly braided mane) and purchased the rights to Lagasse's empire of cookbooks, televisions shows and kitchen products for $45 million in cash and $5 million in stock.
"She showed up at a tough time when I thought the whole ship might be going down," Lagasse admitted during a recent interview. "Basically, what I have now is a business partner." "I don't have any regrets. The experience with Martha Stewart has been delightful. She's a smart lady and a hard worker. My little bit just fits into a corner of her empire, and I'm happy to be there."
Lagasse is once again back on top. He has a show on Sirius radio called "Cooking with Emeril," and has a business partnership with Allen Brothers which will sell Emeril's Red Marble Steaks. They'll be available online next month.
Finally he's back in the medium that made him a star -- T.V. His new television show began this week on ION Television.
We missed our "Bam!" It's good to have them back.
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4-22-2010 @9:26AM Hattie Crabtree said... Rachael Ray is worth more than Emeril.To all the RR haters,she is laughing all the way to the bank.The show I miss the most is RR's old $40 A Day.
4-22-2010 @12:16AM Pete said... Lita: You're full of George Bush !! Emeril AND his band were the best !!
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4-22-2010 @12:28AM Bill Cherry said... That makes me VERY happy!!! The Food Network made a really bad decision when they didn't keep their relationship with Emeril. Most of the stuff they run in the evenings is totally dreadful and of no value to anyone. I think the network's time is limited.
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4-22-2010 @12:45AM Pete said... Bill Cherry: You are right! The food network has gone downhill. Too many challenge and cake shows! We need Mario, Emeril, Giada, and less Paula Deen, Neeleys, and Iron chef !
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4-22-2010 @5:21AM Sharon Lee Fink Blaiss said... I really do love the Food Network and Emeril is one of my favorites, and I really do like the band
a whole lot.
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4-22-2010 @6:31AM Joe said... Emeril is the real thing. Met him once, when he came to Nashville to do a show and was in the back room of a restaurant we were in; our friend who worked there asked him to come out and say hi, to us regular customers in the bar. He was very gracious, kind, and funny; overall a good guy. Not like those fakes on the food network now. As to Martha; the women is my idol.
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4-23-2010 @12:40AM EUGENE HUNST said... Emeril is the man. I really enjoy his show and he keeps his audience laughing and clapping. His son is quite the little man also. Keep on trucking EM. I watch him everyday at 10AM and Doc Gibbs is a hoot also. Hang in there. Thanks.
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4-25-2010 @12:31PM Mark Boxshus said... I'm thrilled that one of the stalwarts of the Food Network is once again back on TV doing what he does best.......cooking and entertaining. He is a bellwether in the industry, and has inspired many to pursue the culinary arts with a passion. Welcome Home Emeril.
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