Emeril’s Revenue Rises 167% Under 23-Year-Old Chef E.J. Lagasse

J. Lagasse became head chef and co-owner four years ago. 7 million renovation of the dining room, kitchen and menu that reopened in 2023.

J. Lagasse the youngest chef to receive that rating. Emeril’s now ranks No. 20 on the World’s 50 Best list for North America and was added to the Relais & Châteaux list in 2024.

The current menu offers thirteen courses for $295, up from seven courses for $95 before the changes. J. Lagasse told Forbes.

J. Lagasse graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2021. He then worked at Core by Clare Smyth in London and spent one year at Frantzén in Stockholm before returning to New Orleans in 2022 at age 19.

Earlier, while in high school, he worked at Meril Restaurant in New Orleans, Emeril’s Coastal in Florida, completed a stage at Café Boulud in New York City, and spent nearly two years under chef Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin. Emeril Lagasse, 66, sold the rights to Emeril-branded television shows, cookbooks, kitchen products and spice blends for about $50 million in 2008, equivalent to roughly $77 million in 2026 dollars.

Lagasse holds a substantial minority stake. J. Lagasse attempted to change the restaurant’s banana cream pie and reversed the decision after receiving hate mail. He says the most fulfilling part of the role is working with his father.

J. Lagasse said in the main dining room on Tchoupitoulas Street.