Chef Emeril Lagasse Visits Florida Panhandle Beach and Waterfront Restaurants in Latest ‘Emeril’s Florida’ Television Episode

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode titled, “Some Panhandle Beach & Waterfront Favorites” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to several of the Florida Panhandle’s  most beloved beach and waterfront dining spots.

“With more than 200 miles of coastline in the Florida Panhandle, fresh Gulf seafood like oysters, grouper and red snapper are a crucial part of our hospitality and tourism industries,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We hope as viewers take a virtual trip with Emeril throughout the Florida Panhandle, they will be inspired to experience these fantastic FRLA restaurants firsthand.”

Chef Emeril begins this week’s program at Captain Anderson’s in Panama City Beach, a local family restaurant voted number one Seafood Restaurant by Southern Living readers every year from 1996 to 2006.  Emeril meets with both the new and old operating members of Captain Anderson’s in Panama City Beach – the Patronis family. He then chats with the one of the founders over some ouzo about how the restaurant began before trying some of Captain Anderson’s classic seafood dishes. Emeril then visits 723 Whiskey Bravo Bistro and Bar in Seagrove Beach where he talks with friend and operations manager George Barnes about their new concept.  Emeril tastes some of Executive Chef Baltazar’s seafood creations overlooking the gulf at 723 Whiskey Bravo’s rooftop bar.  He then heads to Destin Harbor.  There Emeril sits down with owner of Harry T’s, Dan Empson, and talks about Harry T’s Lighthouse – a Destin institution.  Later, he tries some of Harry T’s new and old favorites: Diablo fish tacos, stuffed chicken, crab claws, and their reinvented famous crab cakes.  Finally, Emeril heads to a unique Apalachicola restaurant, Up the Creek Raw Bar, a casual restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere serving up some of the best oysters in the world straight from Apalachicola Bay.

The show reruns on Monday, January 20th at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, January 23rd at 11:30 a.m. EST.  Please check local listings.

Emeril’s Florida Season Two 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 second 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 program is sponsored by the FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA. 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.