Emeril Lagasse’s larger than life persona and talent for New Orleans-style cooking found a home on television in 1993 on the fledgling Food Network. For many years the host of "Essence of Emeril" and "Emeril Live" television shows, he has inspired millions with his enthusiastic cooking style and catchphrases. The author of over 10 cookbooks, his award-winning restaurants include Emeril’s New Orleans, Emeril’s Delmonico, and NOLA with offshoots in Florida and Las Vegas.