Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and television personality Emeril Lagasse was born on this day in 1959 and grew up in the small port city of Fall River, Massachusetts. Of Portuguese and French Canadian heritage, he credits his parents for a deep love of cooking and a strong work ethic shaped by family, faith, and food.

“We had little money, but we were rich in the things that mattered — a warm, loving family, lots of good times, and plenty of good food,” he remembered. As a teenager, he baked bread and pastries, then earned his culinary degree at Johnson & Wales before honing his craft in France, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

He found his heart home in New Orleans — the perfect place for bold, joy-bright flavor. In 1990 he opened Emeril’s, celebrating Cajun and Creole traditions with curiosity and respect. On television, his natural warmth turned kitchens into community, inviting viewers to taste life with a little more courage and a lot more love.

“If you understand people and understand their culture, then you can easily understand their food,” he said. To Emeril, food has always been a way to connect — family at the table, friends in the kitchen, and the everyday miracle of sharing something made with care.

Today, Emeril continues to share that generous spirit. Alongside his son E.J., he recently opened 34 Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans — a heartfelt return to his roots, blending heritage with fresh imagination. Through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, he supports young chefs, community wellness, and culinary education, keeping his belief alive that food has the power to uplift and unite.

Still smiling, still creating, still giving, Emeril embodies what it means to live one’s passion. He reminds us that success is not about fame or fortune, but about sharing your gifts generously — and always adding that extra touch of love.