Welcome to Biscuits and Jam from Southern Living. I'm your host, Sid Evans, and today I'm talking with one of the best known chefs in the world and the talented son who's following in his footsteps.

Back in 1982, Emerald Agassi famously took over

from Paul Prudome as executive chef at Commander's Palace in New Orleans, and after an incredible

run there, he decided to open his own place, Emeralds, in 1990. Now more than three decades on,

his son E.J. at age 21, his chef patron, revisiting dishes his

father made famous and updating them with his own unique spin. We'll talk about all that,

as well as the magic of New Orleans, their over-the-top holiday food traditions, the ways their

Portuguese heritage informs their work, and how

Emeril is teaching a new generation about the power of food. A word of warning, this episode

will make you hungry. Emeril and E.J. Lagasi, welcome to Biscuits and Jam.

Thanks for having to be here. Thank you.

Where am I reaching y'all right now?

We're in New Orleans.

Okay.

We are right down the street from the restaurant.

We're right above Merrill.

Okay.

Probably always good to have the restaurant close by, especially for you, E.J.

100%.

So Emeril, what's the best thing that you've eaten recently?

Well, I'll tell you, the last couple weeks been spending a lot of time with the reopening

of Emeralds, so I've been tasting all the dishes.

...