Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Ray, ERay@FRLA.org, 850.224.2250 x255
Christina Johnson, Christina@On3PR.com, 850.391.5040
Chef Emeril Lagasse Tours Kissimmee on Latest Episode of Emeril’s Florida
– The Cooking Channel will feature three restaurants in Central Florida –
(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing Sunday, March 15, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to Orlando’s next-door neighbor, Kissimmee to tour three top-rated restaurants in the area.
“There’s no place like Kissimmee when it comes to delicious food. From gourmet restaurants offering exquisite dishes in elegant settings, to family-friendly eateries serving traditional Florida favorites in a laid-back atmosphere, there is something for every taste and every mood,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The FRLA is thrilled this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida highlights three restaurants in Kissimmee that offer unparalleled dining experiences and reflect a sample of the many different culinary styles and influences of the area.”
Emeril’s first stop on the “Kissimmee” episode begins at El Tenampa. El Tenampa is one of the highest rated Mexican restaurants in the area and has been serving authentic Mexican food since 2008. The food is representative of the Jalisco state of Mexico and Guadalajara, the state’s capital. The owners, Jorge and Angelica Garcia, are both from Jalisco and their menu includes family recipes they grew up eating. Some of their specialties include seafood platters, cactus dishes, authentic Mole, and frescos – fresh fruit juices made daily. Emeril samples these and other dishes from their menu.
Emeril’s next stop is the Bohemian Hotel in Celebration. The hotel is a boutique lakefront property known for its tranquil setting and elegant wedding coordination. The Bohemian Hotel has 115 guest rooms and suites and features a lobby inspired by nature and sophisticated Floridian elegance. On the property is the hotel restaurant, the Lakeside Bar and Grill that offers luxurious lakeside dining and an indulgent new menu. Chef Zachary Martin is the Executive Chef for the restaurant and was mentored by Emeril at his restaurants in New Orleans. Emeril and Chef Martin talk about how his menu has evolved while they taste some of the chef’s signature dishes including Grilled Blue Point Oyster, Truffle Salted Grilled Lobster, and Grilled Lamb T-Bone.
The final stop on the “Kissimmee” episode is Reunion Wyndham Grand Golf and Spa Resort. It is one of the premier tourist destinations in Kissimmee. The resort is a part of the Salamander Collection of Hotels, and is owned by BET mogul Sheila Johnson. Eleven is the fine dining restaurant within the resort. Eleven is named for its location on the eleventh floor of the main tower of the resort and it overlooks their 2300-acre property as well as Disney in the distance. Chef Etienne Jehl, a French born and trained chef, heads the kitchen and oversees a menu that includes lamb, steak, seafood and more. Emeril sits down with Chef Jehl to taste some of his favorite dishes.
The show reruns on Monday, March 16 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, March 19 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Please check local listings.
Emeril’s Florida Season Three is a 13-episode series highlighting the Sunshine State through the eyes of Emeril on-location with a focus on food, cooking, events and activities around the state. Throughout the third season, Emeril will be visiting Florida’s top restaurants and resorts. He will also prepare some of his favorite recipes which often will feature some of the best seafood Florida has to offer. The FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA sponsor the series. For additional information on the series, including links to previous episodes, please go to the Cooking Channel website here. For a preview of Sunday’s episode, click here.
Editor’s Note:
For photo and video requests of Emeril Lagasse with local chefs, photos of dishes prepared, and recipes of featured dishes, please contact Elizabeth Ray at ERay@FRLA.org or 850.224.2250 x255, or Christina Johnson at Christina@On3PR.com or 850.391.5040.
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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.