Posted on 10/23/2006 5:41:58 PM PDT by SandRat
FORT LEWIS, Wash. (Army News Service, Oct. 23, 2006) – In a show of support for troops, the man who coined the terms “kicked up” and “Bam!” held a book-signing event at the Post Exchange Oct. 12 as part of his current book tour.
More than 3,500 people comprised the line that snaked around the building to have Chef Emeril Lagasse’s books signed, including his most recent release, “There’s a Chef in my World,” a children’s cookbook.
“It’s more than a cookbook – it’s about reading, it’s about mathematics, it’s about weights and measures,” said Lagasse, who wrote the book to introduce children to ethnic dishes.
It took months for PX Manager Patrick McGhee to get Lagasse to visit Fort Lewis, and he was excited about the event.
“What are the chances of a servicemember or family member seeing a chef of this magnitude?” McGhee said.
But “it’s a two-way street. Family members get to see a celebrity, and the celebrity gets to see real Soldiers up close and personal,” he added.
Lagasse said he has a genuine interest in giving back to those who sacrifice to keep this country free.
“I look at what they are doing for us, first of all, and how do I say thank you?” Lagasse said.
“How do I say thanks to people who are daily putting their lives, their families’ lives on the line? For me, I haven’t met many more kind, respectful people than I have in my experiences with military.
“For me to do this is nothing compared to what they are doing for us on a day-to-day basis, so I say thank you. I say God bless, and I’m happy to be here,” said Lagasse.
Lagasse’s book signings are normally two hours, but he spent five hours signing more than 3,000 books and greeting servicemembers and families.
Lagasse recently ended the first ever Military-Only Emeril Cooking Contest. Lagasse’s favorite entries will be used in an upcoming show on the Food Network.
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Of course he's a big hit on a military base...ever eat in a chow hall?
That's just a joke. Most of the cooks that I experienced in the Army were good.
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Yeah, that's our boy! BAM!
Gee, my friends and I used to say "Bam!" over fifty years ago!
That may be the norm today, but in the spirit of a little (ANCIENT) inter service rivalry, when I was in the AF (1960's) we were unsurpassed in our chow hall vittles.
Anytime we had visitor from Army or Marines (and yes, even Navy) they marveled, raved and expressed their open jealousy at the quality and quantity of our chow.
And if we ever showed any of them our barracks, well . . . .tried not too for fear of having them wanting to transfer to our Branch and feared that as we wanted to keep AF in the "above average" column, after all we could read and write. lol
ping
WA ping.
Neat story! Thanks for the ping!
Emeril is the man, and his sauce is the best jar sauce for the money. Tons of gaaaaahlic, loads of tomatoes, it beats suff costing more than twice as much. BAM!!!
I guess you forgot that the AF is the bastard child of the Army. So show some respect.
Another Food Network star, Rachael Ray, was at Arizona Mills in Tempe yesterday. Our daughter, now at NAU, sent us to get an autograph. Too many people, very poor set-up, inadequate audio. While I was trying to park in the totally full lot, my wife was insulted as she tried to get a better view of the stage. We gave up before RR even showed her face.
Interesting that your daughter is at NAU, so's mine. In fact she's honchoing the Proud Patriots drive at Tinsley Hall.
Perhaps your daughter and DesertCoyote can arrange to meet.
Good morning. Thanks.
WA ping...JFK
Emeril at Fort Lewis in Washington State! How cool is that!
Thanks, BAD, for the ping.
Well, the Air Force guys were wussies. In other words we were jealous. Late 80's in Alaska. The Air Force guys with our jobs were subjected to the horrors of carpeted barracks, working 9:30-4:30, burger king on base. Why were we suffering again in the Army?
Great story - thanks for the ping!
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