Emeril’s son a Beard finalist

E.J. Lagasse, the chef running Emeril’s in New Orleans, is a finalist for Best Emerging Chef at the 2026 James Beard Awards. (jamesbeard.org) The James Beard Foundation announced the 2026 restaurant and chef nominees on March 31. Winners are scheduled to be named June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. (jamesbeard.org) Lagasse is one of five finalists in Emerging Chef, alongside Fátima Juárez of Komal in Los Angeles, Rasheeda Purdie of Ramen by Ra in New York, Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago, and Adrian Torres of Maximo in West University Place, Texas. (jamesbeard.org) The award category goes to a chef the foundation says shows “exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability” and is likely to have a significant impact in the years ahead. The foundation says there is no age limit for the honor. (jamesbeard.org) Lagasse reached the finalist round after appearing on the James Beard semifinalist list released January 21. The foundation has run the Restaurant and Chef Awards since 1990. (jamesbeard.org) At Emeril’s, Lagasse is chef and co-owner of his father’s flagship restaurant in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. The restaurant company says he returned to New Orleans in 2022 to take the helm, and the restaurant reopened after a renovation in 2023. (emeril.org) Emeril’s says the restaurant opened in 1990 and now serves a refined Louisiana menu under E.J. Lagasse. The company describes him as the chef leading day-to-day operations. (emerilsrestaurants.com) Lagasse’s nomination also landed in Fall River, Massachusetts, where The Herald News tied the recognition to his family’s Portuguese-American roots and to Emeril Lagasse’s long public connection to the city. The paper reported April 13 that E.J. Lagasse is the son of Fall River-born chef Emeril Lagasse. (heraldnews.com) That Fall River connection has shaped recent Lagasse projects. In 2024, The Herald News reported that Emeril Lagasse’s Portuguese restaurant in New Orleans drew inspiration from Fall River and New Bedford flavors. (usatoday.com) For now, the next date on E.J. Lagasse’s calendar is June 15 in Chicago, where the James Beard Foundation will decide whether the finalist nod becomes his first Beard win. (jamesbeard.org)