In Tribute to Emeril Lagasse

He made a name for himself with the Batman-worthy sound-effect "BAM!" but there was no slamming on counters at Miami's Loews Hotel tonight, just thunderous applause, for one of the food world's most beloved and hardest-working chefs. Emeril Lagasse was honored at a tribute dinner presided over by a posse of New York chefs, including Mario Batali, Eric Ripert, Michael Laskonis and Bobby Flay. Another famed New Yorker, Martha Stewart did the emcee honors. The night ended with an impromptu jam session that featured Lagasse on bongos and Miami chef Norman Van Aiken on the harmonica. Sadly, Martha did not grab for the nearest electric guitar. Or a tambourine, for that matter.

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