The Foundation

Giving Back

Emeril Lagasse Foundation

Founded in 2002 by Chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife Alden, Emeril Lagasse Foundation is a 501c(3) public charity headquartered in New Orleans. The Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities to inspire, mentor and enable youth to reach their full potential through culinary, nutrition and arts education.

Since its inception, Emeril Lagasse Foundation has granted more than $14 million to children’s charities to support culinary, nutrition and arts programs.

Projects funded by the Foundation include an outdoor classroom, gardens, fresh foods cafeteria and teaching kitchen at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, an accessible learning kitchen for special needs students at St. Michael Special School, a four-year culinary arts program for high school students at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Hospitality Center at Café Reconcile, and hospitality training at Liberty’s Kitchen for at-risk youth preparing healthy school meals

Fundraising is a crucial part of the Foundation’s efforts and essential to achieving its mission. Funding for the Foundation’s programs is provided through individual and corporate donations, as well as annual fundraising events. Each fall, the Foundation hosts its signature annual fundraising weekend, which includes the black tie gala and top ranked charity wine auction, Carnivale du Vin, and the outdoor food and musical festival, Boudin, Bourbon & Beer. In the spring, the Foundation hosts Line, Vine & Dine, a weekend fishing tournament in Fort Lauderdale and the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown weekend, a spirited BBQ competition in Santa Rosa Beach.

1,000 LBs of fresh produce harvested from Belle Chasse Academy school gardens for use in school meals

2,2825 food insecure students across 30 schools received backpacks with healthy meals from Food for Thought Outreach

600 disconnected youth have received life skills and workforce development training at Liberty’s Kitchen to date

1800 meals prepared by NOCCA students for Baton Rouge area flood victims last fall

90,000 Second Harvest summer meals served to hungry children last year

90 families received cooking education classes at Edible Education Experience

4,000 culinary and garden classes taught by 5 schools as part of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans

174 youth enjoyed weekly arts, crafts and cooking lessons after school at YEP

900 hours of differentiated instruction supporting Life Skills Development for St. Michael Special School students

686 child abuse victims received hope and healing from Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center in 2016

489 community events catered by Arc Broward Culinary students