Ask a Chef: JBF Award Winner Emeril Lagasse

by JBF Editors on July 15, 2011

Traveling around the country this summer? Let Emeril Lagasse help plan your culinary itinerary. On the Cooking Channel’s new series The Originals, the 2011 Chefs & Champagne® honoree hits the road to pay tribute to the iconic food establishments that have helped shape America’s culinary landscape. Here, he shares a few of his favorites among the places he visited while filming the show.

1.  The Berghoff Restaurant / Chicago
“This German restaurant is home to the best corned beef Reuben and apple strudel in Chicago—and amazing schnitzel, too!”

2.  The Apple Pan / Los Angeles
“This L.A. hamburger joint is known for its tasty hickoryburger and steakburger.”

3.  Busy Bee Cafe / Atlanta
“Oh baby, the Southern and soul food favorites at Busy Bee Cafe will make anyone want more. From meat loaf and pork chops to the Joe Lewis Ham Hock and Ol’ Fashioned Banana Puddin’, these guys know what they are doing.”

4.  Swan Oyster Depot / San Francisco
“The Swan has a seafood-only menu, consisting mostly of fresh fish straight from the ocean. Its oysters are out of this world—the most popular are the Miyagi and Kumamoto.”

5.  Il Vagabondo / New York
“This is where you go in NYC for authentic Northern Italian food—I loved the veal Parm and gnocchi.”

The Originals debuted May 5 on The Cooking Channel.