He is a regional James Beard Award winner, known for his mastery of Creole and Cajun cuisine and his self-developed "New New Orleans" style.
He has appeared on a wide variety of cooking TV shows, including the long-running Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril.
On those shows he pioneered several catchphrases he is associated with, including "Kick it up a notch!" and "Bam!" Lagasse's portfolio of media, products, and restaurants generates an estimated US$150 million annually in revenue.