E. J. Lagasse

E. J. Lagasse
Lagasse in 2025
Born
Emeril John Lagasse IV

(2003-03-30) March 30, 2003
New York City
EducationJohnson & Wales University
Known forYoungest chef to win two Michelin Stars
Culinary career
Cooking styleFrench, American Creole
Rating
Current restaurants
Websitehttps://emerilsrestaurant.com

Emeril John Lagasse IV (born March 30, 2003) is an American chef and restauranteur. He is the chef / co-owner of Emeril's in New Orleans, Louisiana and the son of Emeril Lagasse.[1]

In 2025, his restaurant was awarded Two Michelin Stars in the inaugural Michelin Guide American South.[2] He is the youngest chef to ever achieve the accolade, at age 22.[3]

Education and Training

Lagasse attended Johnson and Wales University, in Providence, Rhode Island, the same alma mater as his father. He had previously worked at his father’s restaurant Emeril's Coastal, in Miramar Beach, Florida.[4]

Lagasse worked at Le Bernardin in New York City as a teenager.[5]

After Culinary school, he moved to Europe to continue his training. He worked under Clare Smyth and Björn Frantzén before returning home to his family restaurant.[6]

He credits Eric Ripert as his mentor.[7]

Career

Lagasse returned to his family restaurant, Emeril's, in June 2022.[8] The restaurant underwent a renovation to update and refine the space, reopening in October 2023, with Lagasse being named Chef / Co-Owner.[9] The format and physical change of the restaurant led to the opening of its sister restaurant, The Wine Bar at Emeril's, next door.[10] He was awarded the La Liste, "New Talent of the Year" Award later that year.[11]

He is known for his "Contemporary Louisiana" cuisine, with the menu at Emeril's populated by his adaptations of classic creole/cajun dishes and recipes originally developed by his father for the restaurant in 1990.[12]

In 2024, Emeril's became a member of Les Grandes Tables du Monde[13] and Relais and Châteaux.[14] Later in the year the restaurant was awarded Five Diamonds from The AAA Guide.[15]

2025 is considered a landmark year for Lagasse and the restaurant. In March, Emeril's celebrated its 35th anniversary in New Orleans.[16] In September, the restaurant was named "#30" in the inaugural World's 50 Best Restaurants list, North America.[17] In October, the restaurant was awarded Three Stars from The New York Times food critic Tejal Rao[18] and was also named to the newspapers, "50 best Restaurants in America" list.[18]

Later that year Emeril's was awarded Two Michelin Stars in the inaugural Michelin Guide American South,[19] making Lagasse the youngest chef in history to achieve that feat.[20]

He was a Finalist in the, "Emerging Chef" category for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards.[21]

Awards and Accolades

References

  1. ↑ Orleans, Tejal RaoReporting from New; Times, Tejal Rao is a chief restaurant critic for The New York (October 7, 2025). "Emeril's Restaurant Revived by His 22-Year-Old Son? Bam, 3 Stars!". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ "E.J. Lagasse Earns 2 Michelin Stars, Ushering In A New Era For Emeril's In New Orleans". Southern Living. Archived from the original on November 14, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Emeril's Earns Two MICHELIN Stars: E.J. Lagasse becomes Youngest Chef to Achieve That Feat". guide.michelin.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  4. ↑ St. John, Robert (January 8, 2024). "Next Up in New Orleans". Magnolia Tribune. Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ writer, IAN MCNULTY | Staff (September 2, 2025). "Emeril's is bringing top New York restaurant Le Bernardin to New Orleans for one night". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ Gomez-Misserian, Gabriela (March 7, 2023). "Meet E.J. Lagasse, the Nineteen-Year-Old New Chef at World-Famous Emeril's". Garden & Gun. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ Bella, Timothy (June 13, 2023). "Emeril Lagasse is a cooking legend. Is his 20-year-old son, E.J., next?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  8. ↑ McNulty, Ian (October 24, 2023). "Emeril's Restaurant reopens in New Orleans with young chef, ambitious vision, new wine bar". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ McNulty, Ian (April 29, 2024). "After big changes at Emeril's, it's now the only restaurant in New Orleans with this honor". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ Lorell, Clair (November 2, 2023). "Emeril's New Wine Bar Wants You to Have a Little Fun". Eater Nola. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ Daniels, Serena Maria (February 14, 2025). "Why Emeril Lagasse and His Son E.J. Are Making a Stop in the Twin Cities This Summer". Eater Twin Cities. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ McNulty, Ian (September 2, 2025). "Emeril's tasting menu restaurant is in its own league. Here's what dining is like today". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  13. ↑ McNulty, Ian (October 14, 2024). "Emeril's Restaurant gets another global honor, and brings back lunch in a new way". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  14. ↑ Chen, Stephanie (September 2, 2024). "Relais & Châteaux Welcomes 11 Properties to Its Portfolio". Hospitality Design. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  15. ↑ "New AAA Five Diamonds Shine with Style and Sophistication – AAA Newsroom". newsroom.aaa.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Emeril's Marks 35 Years with Celebration Dinner". March 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Emeril's | North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 | North America's 50 Best Restaurants". 50B - Restaurants - NORTH AMERICA. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Cartolano, Marco (October 10, 2025). "New York Times' new food critic reviewed Emeril's in New Orleans. Here's what she thought". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  19. 1 2 McNulty, Ian (November 3, 2025). "3 New Orleans restaurants win Michelin stars, many get awards in first regional guide". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  20. ↑ "E.J. Lagasse become youngest chef to win Two Stars". guide.michelin.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  21. ↑ McNulty, Ian (March 31, 2026). "See the New Orleans chefs up for James Beard awards advancing as finalists in 2026". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Inside Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America Party with Glenfiddich and Maison Passerelle". Esquire. December 10, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  23. ↑ Silva, Lurdes C. da. "Portuguese-American chef with roots in Fall River nominated for James Beard Award". Fall River Herald News. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
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