Emeril John Lagasse (born October 15, 1959) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. A regional James Beard Award winner, he is perhaps most notable for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril as well as catchphrases such as "kick it up a notch" and "BAM!" He is a 1978 graduate of Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts. The "Emeril Empire" of media, products and restaurants generates an estimated USD$150 million annually in revenue.

The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Program awards scholarship grants in amounts up to $30,000 each to students and recent alumni from community colleges or two-year institutions who transfer to and will pursue bachelor's degrees at four-year institutions. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, 703-723-8000.

Rachael Ray unveils her new non-profit organization, Yum-o! Aimed to help families reconnect with their food and each other, Yum-o! focuses on cooking with the family, feeding underprivileged children, and funding cooking scholarships! Excellent stuff!