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Emeril Lagasse Named Carnival Cruise Line’s Chief Culinary Officer

Emeril Lagasse Named Carnival Cruise Line’s Chief Culinary Officer

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse will serve as Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer. The cruise line also announced a third location of Emeril’s Bistro restaurant will feature on the new Carnival Jubilee.

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On December 28, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line announced that celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse has been named the cruise line’s Chief Culinary Officer.

Lagasse’s restaurant concept Emeril’s Bistro already features on two of Carnival’s ships—Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration—and now his culinary talents will be utilized across the entire fleet.

As part of the announcement, Carnival also shared that its new ship Carnival Jubilee will feature the third Emeril’s Bistro location when it arrives in Galveston, Texas in December 2023.

Related: New Carnival Jubilee Delivery Will Be Delayed

Carnival Cruise Line announced that renowned chef and restauranteur Emeril Lagasse will serve as its Chief Culinary Officer (image courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Lagasse is a James Beard Award winner, known for his mastery of Creole and Cajun cuisine, and is one of New Orleans’ most respected chefs. The chef-proprietor of several restaurants across the United States, Emeril has become a household name through his popular cookbooks and television cooking shows. Lagasse’s current show “Emeril Cooks” debuted on Roku earlier this year.

“Food is key to the fun of a Carnival cruise,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Emeril’s restaurants on our two new ships have been a great addition to our dining offerings and guests rave about the food, which will also be on Carnival Jubilee come next December.

Carnival also announced that Carnival Jubilee will feature an Emeril’s Bistro when it arrives in Galveston in December 2023 (image courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

“With Emeril’s culinary expertise and broader profile on our ships, along with our wildly popular partnership with Food Network star Guy Fieri, Carnival will feature two iconic talents in the food and dining industry across our fleet,” Duffy continued.

Emeril Lagasse’s role as Chief Culinary Officer

In his new role as Chief Culinary Officer, Lagasse will advise on future menu items and dining concepts. He’ll also support Carnival’s chefs with guidance on food trends and culinary techniques.

Carnival guests will notice the famed chef’s input on the main dining room menus fleetwide, especially with the addition of “Emeril recommends” notations on select entrées.

“I’ve been creating and operating restaurants for many years but developing my restaurants with Carnival and learning about the cruise industry has been an exhilarating experience. I love Carnival’s focus on food and fun and the many great dining options they offer their guests. I’m looking forward to building on our success at sea with Carnival’s exceptional culinary team,” said Lagasse.

To see Emeril sharing the news, click on the short video below:

To celebrate Emeril’s new role, Duffy has invited him to join her in New York this weekend, where Carnival is sponsoring the countdown clock—and serving as a musical sponsor—for the famous Times Square ball drop.

Duffy and Lagasse will flip the giant switch on the countdown clock together, lighting the iconic New Year’s Eve ball.

Read more: Carnival Cruise Line President Will Light New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square

The event also coincides with the cruise line’s expansion of operations in New York City, with year-round departures from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on board Carnival Venezia beginning in June 2023.


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What do you think about Emeril Lagasse’s new role as Chief Culinary Officer for Carnival? Are you excited about a third Emeril’s Bistro opening next year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Carrie Ann Karstunen