Hot stuff

Florida gives a warm welcome to chef Emeril Lagasse as he tapes six of his Emeril Live! shows in Orlando last week.

By MARY JANE PARK

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 27, 2000

ORLANDO -- Emeril Lagasse brought his culinary gospel to Universal Orlando last week, and the 1,000 or so people who had tickets to his first taping of Emeril Live! were clearly among the faithful.

"Bam!" the crowd roared, whenever Lagasse added spice to a dish, offering to "kick it up a notch." Cheers filled the air at nearly every mention of garlic or cayenne.

The first episode of six taped last week at Universal Studios CityWalk's open-air lagoon stage focused on fresh, seasonal foods from Central Florida: Alligator Sauce Piquant over Creamy Stone-Ground Grits, Marinated Flank Steak with Stewed Florida Swamp Cabbage (more commonly known as hearts of sabal palm), Oreo Cookie and White Chocolate Mousse Pie with Macerated Strawberries.

[Photo: Phelan Ebenhack] Tom and Sandy Harrison of Melbourne sample an Oreo cookie and ice cream dessert at the Emeril Live! taping. About 1,000 people were in the audience this day.

Lagasse, wearing a dark jacket and pants, shook hands with people in the crowd as he moved toward the stage. Before taping began at 4 p.m. Thursday, the Food Network staff prepped the crowd: Ditch the admission badge necklaces. Stash belongings under the white resin chairs, out of camera range. No gum chewing. No eating, unless on camera. No gifts for Lagasse. No rushing the stage, with its hot stovetop, oven, pots and pans.

Lagasse shed his jacket, revealing an Emeril's Restaurant T-shirt, advertising his venue in Orlando, then tied on a white chef's apron.

He praised the okra, tomatoes and sweet corn from "just up the road in Plant City, the Strawberry Capital of the World." He talked about Florida's alligator farms. ("No, it does not taste like chicken.")

"Who out there knows what a Cracker is?" he asked the crowd, paying tribute to cattle ranchers in the Sunshine State: "Those are the true Crackers, right here in Florida."

The television monitor showed lush palms, the sparkling lagoon and the Hard Rock Cafe behind Lagasse. Outside camera range, a flurry of people worked in sweltering heat to keep shots perfect and the host relieved of perspiration.

Getting tickets for the taping was "one of the highlights of our vacation," said David Yee, in Orlando from Boston for a McDonald's convention. "You can't leave here without seeing Emeril."

"He's my idol," said Vince Palladino, who lives in the Orlando area.

Ron Landini, from Long Island, N.Y., said Lagasse has inspired him to experiment in the kitchen. "Since I watch him, I try (to cook), but it's not as easy as he makes it look."

The programs taped at Universal Orlando are scheduled to air July 30 through Aug. 4. Emeril Live! runs at 8 and 11 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

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