Spotted in Providence — A Celebrity Chef With Strong Local Ties

Spotted in Providence — A Celebrity Chef With Strong Local Ties

A celebrity chef with local ties was in town this week. 

Emeril Lagassé, who grew up in Fall River and attended Johnson and Wales before achieving culinary fame, spent two evenings at Public Bar and Kitchen at the Renaissance Hotel in Providence. 

Lagassé, a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author, and National Best Recipe award winner for his "Turkey and Hot Sausage Chili" recipe, is a regional James Beard Award winner, known for his mastery of Creole and Cajun cuisine and his self-developed "New New Orleans" style.

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He has appeared on a wide variety of cooking TV shows, including the long-running Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril. 

Christopher Moore, the General Manager at Public Bar and Kitchen, said his staff was “super excited” to host Lagassé.

Moore took a photo of Lagassé with Public’s “amazing” bartender Kristen Colburn. 

“She’s been here over 10 years,” said Moore, noting Lagassé spent Thursday night in the bar area, before coming back Friday for the restaurant’s dining room. 

“He was very sweet and kind,” said Moore. 

As for Emeril John Lagassé III being in town — JWU commencement listed Emeril John Lagassé IV as one of this year’s graduates. 

Latest in Celebrity Sightings 

Providence has had a string of celebrity sights in recent weeks, including People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” Paul Rudd and Academy Award winners Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.