We know lots of famous people who got their start in Maine (Patrick Dempsey, Anna Kendrick just to name two), but did you know that world-famous chef Emeril Lagasse got his start by working at a hotel in Maine?

Yup, that's right, the chef synonymous with New Orleans cooking actually got started here in Maine!

According to a 2010 article in Portland Monthly,  Emeril came to Maine in 1980, fresh off a job as a sous chef at the Parker House in Boston, to work at what was then the South Portland Sheraton across from the Maine Mall (now the DoubleTree).

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The hotel where Emeril got his start in Maine - Google Street View
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He eventually became the executive chef at the hotel, staying until the mid-1980s when he left to go to work in New Orleans where he made his mark as a famous chef.

So, imagine if things had been a bit different, instead of having a huge New Orleans based food empire, Emeril could have opened a chain of lobster shacks!

He still would probably have that "BAM!" thing going for him though!

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