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Emeril plans Mississippi restaurant
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given the nature of this gig, things can occasionally get awkward. Take, for example, our chat with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse before his participation Thursday night at the Taste of the Nation fund-raiser at the Georgia Aquarium. Just as AJC dining critic Meridith Ford’s lukewarm review of Emeril’s Atlanta (Read it) was making the rounds, we interviewed the man himself at his Buckhead restaurant.
To our relief, Lagasse was warm, outgoing and extremely generous with his time. He acknowledged that his Atlanta eatery is a work in progress (one factor: His head chef is hospitalized), but Lagasse said he was thrilled to be back here cooking and raising money for the hunger charity he’s worked with for close to two decades.
“I gotta be honest,” he confided in his trademark accent, “my schedule hasn’t been as consistent as it could be since we’re still so busy rebuilding things in New Orleans. It remains a local problem, a state problem and a national problem. And you can’t finger any one person either. We’ve all got to work together.”
While Lagasse’s tourist-friendly restaurants are all back open in New Orleans, he estimates that “40 percent of the city is still heavily damaged. There’s a shortage of housing, so there’s a shortage of labor. It’s a Catch-22. But we’re pushing, pushing forward.”
Among the TV personality’s many upcoming plans: to open a new restaurant in Mississippi on the Gulf Coast hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.
While the Food Network elder statesman uses his prominent place in the media to keep New Orleans and the affected Gulf Coast area on the nation’s radar screen, he also assists the newer members of his Food Network family in becoming accustomed to sudden fame as a rock star chef.
“It can get scary out there,” he allows. “There are some real nuts running around.” (Consequently, Lagasse and his family travel with two members of a security team.) Likewise, he also helped pave the way for Savannah cook Paula Deen when she started at the network.
“Not everybody understands people from the South right off the bat,” he says. “But she does great TV and has an audience who loves her. Her honesty comes through. You can’t fool the viewer. You might be able to [expletive] them for a couple of shows, but not for long. The audience is too savvy. “
‘BACHELOR’ IS BACK
Here’s encouraging news for those who haven’t yet humiliated their entire family by appearing on a TV reality show. ABC’s infamous “The Bachelor” returns to town this month seeking new contestants. According to “Bachelor” associate casting producer John Perez, the show is looking for women between the ages of 23 to 35 who have graduated college, who are career-motivated and wish to get married. Best of all, you won’t immediately be asked to degrade yourself by scratching out the eyes of the other contestants when you turn up for the audition. “Um, yes, well, the catfights are optional,” Perez told us. “The casting calls are actually pretty laid back.”
On May 19, an open call will be held 9 a.m.-noon at Tongue & Groove in Buckhead, 5-11 p.m. May 21 at Ten Pin Alley in Midtown and 3-8 p.m. May 22 at Buckhead Crunch Fitness.
MORE METRO BISCUITS
Q100 “Bert Show” producer Jeff Dauler announced on air Thursday that he’s entering into a partnership with Raving Brands (the folks who brought you Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mama Fu’s and Planet Smoothie Cafe) to open five new metro franchises of the Flying Biscuit Cafe.
Dauler is going into the restaurant business with Raving Brands and investors, including pal and Longhorn Steakhouse and Ted’s Montana Grill co-founder George McKerrow Jr. and Slocum’s namesake John Slocum.
“[My wife] Jessica and I have established roots here and this is a way for us expand on that,” Dauler explained. While the formerly nomadic radio personality is signed to remain with “The Bert Show” through the end of 2009, the Daulers wanted to cement another business venture here.
Dauler indicated that the deal had been in the works since February.
The next Flying Biscuit Cafe location is due to open May 14 at the West Paces Plaza shopping center at West Paces Ferry Road and I-75.
The eatery concept emphasizing more whole foods and a whole grains-centered approach to breakfast dishes was created by founder Delia Champion 15 years ago in Candler Park. A second location is in Midtown at Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street.
Champion was on hand (with a small mountain of biscuits, eggs, turkey bacon and potatoes) for the announcement.
“I’m starting to get a little old,” Champion cracked to Buzz off air. “I didn’t want the Biscuit to go away. Every neighborhood deserves a great restaurant. For years, I’ve been approached by people who either wanted to buy the Biscuit or expand it. Raving Brands were the first people who understood completely what the restaurant stands for and who didn’t want to change a thing.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Surf guitarist Dick Dale is 70. Singer-songwriter Nick Ashford of Ashford and Simpson is 65. Country singer Stella Parton is 58. Singer Jackie Jackson of the Jacksons is 56. Singer Oleta Adams is 54. Country singer Randy Travis is 48. Actress Mary McDonough (“The Waltons”) is 46. Comedian Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) is 40. Bassist Mike Dirnt of Green Day is 35. Singer Lance Bass of ‘N Sync is 28.
OVERSCENE
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (left) was among the capacity crowd for WWE Wrestling Backlash at Philips Arena. Atlanta Thrashers head coach Bob Hartley taking in the Braves and Phillies at Turner Field.
Contributing: news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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