By Dave Walker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Emeril Lagasse made his culinary reputation at New Orleans’ Commander’s Palace and went on to become one of the food world’s biggest brands via his restaurants, spice mixes, cookbooks and TV stardom. He has served as a judge on the past two seasons of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and has returned in that role for the show’s upcoming 11th season, shooting in and around New Orleans through early July.
Emeril Lagasse (left) with fellow judges Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Hugh Acheson during filming of ‘Top Chef: Seatle.’ Photo: Bravo
Other returning judges include Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi – both of whom have tweeted their presence in New Orleans – as well as Gail Simmons and Hugh Acheson.
A premiere date for the season has not been announced, but the past two “Top Chef” seasons have launched in the fall.
Lagasse paused from production tasks recently to discuss the show’s New Orleans season so far. He also weighed in on the controversy that arose when it was announced that $200,000 of BP oil-spill recovery money – channeled through the Louisiana Office of Tourism – would partly underwrite the season. The New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. also is contributing $175,000 to the production, as other cities and states have done during the show’s recent past.
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