re: Emeril Lagasse: 'I have nowhere to go ... other than broke,'

it was just a random comment ive dropped in emeril threads before


it was known in the nola restaurant scene years ago that he OD'd one night at his restaurant and had to be rushed to the hospital. him doing coke shouldnt be too surprising considering the industry he has been in his whole life

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it was known in the nola restaurant scene years ago that he OD'd one night at his restaurant and had to be rushed to the hospital

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Let me guess, you heard that at a State Palace Theater rave?

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i will say that the restaurant business is probably the worst most thankless business to be successful in. Unless you get as big as a guy like Besh, Lagasse, and the like that can launch books and cookware lines. The others make money, but it isn't that great, or as great as you want it to be. It's always going to be the sweat on your back making the money.

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It is by far one of the hardest businesses to be in and even though the above poster talked about restaurants opening and doing fine in New Orleans, many have closed, many more will close and many of them operate on a razors edge just a broken refrigerator away from closing their doors.

To make it you have to be married to it because it's a lifestyle, not a job. Look at Frank Brigtsen and his wife. Great place but the grind it out daily and don't depend on anyone but themselves.

A good book to read regarding how hard it is to get started and keep going while making money is Restaurant Man by Joe Bastianich. He's a pretentious jack arse but the overall message is very good.

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it was known in the nola restaurant scene years ago that he OD'd one night at his restaurant and had to be rushed to the hospital. him doing coke shouldnt be too surprising considering the industry he has been in his whole life

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Right.

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so much butthurt from Emeril!!

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I don't care. As long as he can shite banana cream pie, I'd still eat it.

eta...I may be going to Mint tonight.

Surprised no one has called for him to "apologize" for his degrading remarks about our first black president aka disagreeing with Obama.

Glad he spoke his mind.

Also Emeril needs to realize how much more competition there is now as compared to pre-K. When people ask me "we're thinking about Emerils tonight" I tell them it's great, a must in NoLa, but also might add "also check out Herbsaint or Boucherie while in town, probably 2 of the least talked about underrated places in the city."

And about NO restaurants opening left and right; idk how the city can sustain all of them unless they are all casual mid priced eateries. The only industry I hear expanding is the new hospital complex and hotels. It's still a tourist and convention driven economy with many low/mid paying jobs. With the new charter schools, showing positive results, a better educated generation is coming. As a F&B manager, I know plenty of people way older than I am who've been working as hotel stewards and banquet servers all their life. It is what it is. That's New Orleans bread and butter (or red beans n rice) hospitality jobs. And most only need a high school diploma and a clean criminal record. If we have a better educated population I can see different industries growing here. An yes, will support Emerils empire.

Ok I had to rant a bit but that's the reality I face everyday.

And now time for a beer

Sure. I'll give you a heads up the next time I go.

I dont really understand how anyone can have beef with anything he said. The restaurant industry is a tough industry and making "large employers" provide health insurance to employees, regardless of industry is going to hurt some biz lines.

Now if you disagree w Emeril, you should be lobbying hard to end tipping. Or be ready to pay more when dining out.

The law will just force some restaurants to hire less staff to stay a small employer.

And Jones, that story has been said about 90 percent of chefs in 90 percent of restaurants.

It is a tough industry
He's made his money
Now that the celebrity factor has worn off what has his restaurants done to get repeat business
We went in there for lunch one day last year and the place was empty

well it was a 1 person hearsay from two people that worked at the restaurant.

i dont see why it would be that unbelievable to think that a guy like him could have had a drug problem. oh well



ill stop. sorry for thread hijack