Did You Know Emeril Got His Start In Maine?

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).

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!