Sunshine Matters

This week, VISIT FLORIDA and our Florida Ambassador Emeril Lagasse wrapped up the third season of “Emeril’s Florida.”  Having quickly become one of the top-rated television shows on the Cooking Channel and Food Network, “Emeril’s Florida” features the high energy celebrity host as he explores dining, entertainment and travel opportunities on location throughout the Sunshine State. 

Season Three of “Emeril’s Florida” included 13 different themed 30-minute episodes featuring 24 destinations from all across the state.  Beginning in January, a new episode aired each week, first on the Cooking Channel and then on the Food Network.

In the first episode this season, “Coming to America,” Emeril visited with three chefs who were born in foreign countries and now own successful restaurants in Florida.  He met a Sushi Chef from Vietnam, a Moroccan native who trained in France and Norway, and a German born chef who now runs one of the top-rated French restaurants in the state.

Halfway through the season, Emeril traveled down the east coast, focusing on the “Farm to Table” movement in Florida. He began in St. Augustine at The Floridian Restaurant, then moved down to Boca Raton to a restaurant that secures most of their ingredients from local fishermen and farmers, and he capped off the episode in Miami where he visited an urban farm.

Last week, Emeril saluted “Veteran Owned and Operated” restaurants and craft breweries in Florida.  In this episode, Emeril traveled across the state to meet a U.S. Army veteran who owns a café with his wife, he then visited with a Navy fighter pilot who owns a popular craft brewery in Jacksonville, and ended with meeting another U.S. Army veteran who owns a successful restaurant and supports other military veterans and their families.

This year, “Emeril’s Florida” also featured special online vignettes that can be found on VISIT FLORIDA’s YouTube Channel.  Tune-in to the Cooking Channel and the Food Network this week to see recipes from Emeril’s travels around the state and to view the Season Three finale.