The Emeril Lagasse Foundation

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation seeks to inspire, mentor and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive and creative individuals. The foundation supports and encourages programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children within communities where Emeril's restaurants operate.

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation was established in 2002, and is the realization of Chef Emeril's dream to improve the quality of young people’s lives. Continuing its work in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas since January 2006, ELF has granted children’s charities with over $1.5 million in funding to assist in improving education, life skills development, hospitality and culinary training and cultural enrichment.

Strategic Projects

Café Reconcile – Emeril Lagasse Foundation Culinary Learning Center
At Café Reconcile, at-risk teens receive on-the-job experience to develop skills in restaurant service and management. The 2nd floor of the cafe will be the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Culinary Learning Center, a classroom and training facility for the students.

St. Michael Special School - Life Skills Academic Lab and Kitchen
St. Michael Special School, a cause dear to the heart of Chef Emeril Lagasse for over 20 years, will receive significant funds to renovate its “Life Skills Academic Lab and Kitchen Classroom.” The enhanced vocational training will increase independence and confidence in the students, developing life skills necessary to care for oneself and become self sufficient.

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) – Culinary Arts Pilot Program
NOCCA has lead the area in specialized arts instruction for over 30 years and now is in collaboration with ELF, which in 2007 funded an intensive pilot program for 13 high school students. Students spent 8 hours a day for 2 weeks learning professional cooking methods in the kitchens at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. A chef-instructor from Chef Emeril’s alma mater Johnson & Wales University, Scott Parker, taught the session.

Edible Schoolyard at Green Charter School – Outdoor Classroom
The Edible Schoolyard New Orleans at Green Charter School is a teaching garden and kitchen program based on the highly successful Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, CA, founded by chef and education/local foods activist Alice Waters. With ELF’s grant, the school will build the outdoor classroom and its landscaped pathways, constructing a creative setting for the students to experience the garden in all classes and curriculum.