Bam! There I was in the church of Emeril during the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. Not literally, but part of his audience at his sell-out, two hour show at the Caesar’s Palace-Circus Maximus theater. Every seat filled with Emeril Lagasse fans; men and women, young and old, every race, creed and orientation were there for the food gospel according to Emeril. I thought the roof would come down from the applause, whooping and hollering when he came on stage. I actually found it funny and started to laugh, I guess I’m jaded.
I understood the crowd mentality that creates frenzy. It wasn’t far from this spot, the Steel Pier, where my cousin and I lined up with other pubescent teenage girls to see Paul Anka when rock and roll and American Bandstand were just starting. Even then, I didn’t consider Paul Anka someone to send me screaming or jumping up and down but when Paul Anka came on stage, I was in the frenzy - screaming, jumping and crying.
There were no hallelujahs (2 videos below)
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Emeril knew how to work his audience, how to make two hours of cooking entertaining and engaging. There weren’t too many BAMS, there were words he couldn’t use on network television. Not as bad as Chef Gordon Ramsey, but not totally G rated.
There was a person to the side of the stage signing for the deaf, I wonder if that was a Lagasse consideration or Caesar’s Palace consideration? Hmmmmm.
I have to give Chef Lagasse credit where credit is due. I truly believe he made it “ok” for men to say they enjoy cooking and not loose face about their masculinity.
It was a fun two hours even if I spent half of it trying to video parts for you to enjoy. So praise Lagasse and pass the flank steak.
Related story: Guess who I met at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival
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