Food Network has been the place where notable names like Troy Johnson, Guy Fieri, and Katie Lee all made their mark, and long before they came into the fold, Emeril Lagasse was the big dog on the station. During the earlier part of the 2000s, Emeril was everywhere, and his shows on Food Network were must-see television.
Things would simmer over time, as other stars got their chance to shine on the network, but Emeril’s name remains as recognizable and ever. Naturally, the famed chef has been up to quite a lot over the years, steadily building a lucrative empire.
So, what’s Emeril been up to? Let’s take a look at his impressive legacy!
He Had A Short-Lived Sitcom
Back when Emeril was the king of Food Network, he wound up gaining a ton of mainstream appeal, and this lead to a television studio jumping all over the idea of casting him and letting him a star in his very own sitcom.
This tidbit of information has turned into one of those weird pieces of pop culture trivia, as most people have completely forgotten the fact that Emeril had a sitcom. Even worse, most people didn’t even know he had a sitcom when it was still airing new episodes on the small screen.
According to IMDb, Emeril’s sitcom debuted back in 2002, and it would only last for around 11 episodes before the network pulled the plug on it. This was clearly just an idea to capitalize on his mainstream success, but it just goes to show that finding success in the world of sitcoms takes a lot more than just a popular catchphrase or two and a notable figure from Food Network.
Despite the fact that his sitcom was a complete and total failure, Emeril would still find a ton of success on the small screen in the form of cooking and even some traveling shows. The man clearly learned his lesson and he stuck to his bread and butter, which wound up being a great decision for his net worth.
Of course, it does go without saying that one of the primary things he’s been up to over the years is running a string of successful restaurants.
He Still Owns Restaurants
Because he wound up becoming one of the biggest culinary names in television history, it does make sense that Emeril would have had a number of restaurants to keep his name relevant and to haul in tons of cash.
According to his website, Emeril has 10 restaurants in four different cities, meaning that he has done exceptionally well for himself in planting roots and slowly expanding his empire over the years. The restaurant industry is an unforgiving one, and even the slightest hiccup can be disastrous for a brand. Emeril’s ability to remain at the top of the pile for so long is a testament to what he brings to the kitchen.
While taking a closer look at his restaurant locations, New Orleans is the spot that has the bulk of them. Those that have followed his cooking over the years know that he was heavily inspired by New Orleans cooking, and his unique take on the style was what really catapulted him to the top of the culinary world.
Outside of the restaurant business, Emeril also made a ton of progress as someone who marketed his own products, and the culmination of this is something that made headlines in an instant.
He Struck A $50 Million Deal With Martha Stewart
Thanks to his success on Food Network, fans got to see Emeril expand his brand into household items, and they were readily available at some of the biggest stores in the country.
Because his name was so recognizable, it does make sense that his brand was rolling in a lot of money. Eventually, Martha Stewart’s company grew an interest in what Emeril was doing, and they would eventually make him an offer that he simply could not refuse.
It has been reported that Martha Stewart’s company spent upwards of $50 million to acquire the rights to Emeril’s brand, which made him an extremely rich man. Sure, he was already doing quite well for himself, but this $50 million deal ensured that he would never have to work another day in his life if he didn’t want to.
It’s quite clear to see that Emeril is an exceptionally busy man who has spent an unbelievable amount of time building his legacy over the years. Clearly, all of his tireless work has paid off.