Lagasse's Golf Classic raises more than $500k for students

Nation's Restaurant News, Jan 15, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse combined his passions for helping students pursue culinary careers and for the game of golf when he returned here to his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University, for the fourth annual Emeril Lagasse Golf Classic. The event benefits his scholarship fund and this year raised $503,000, bringing the event's four-year total to more than $1.6 million. More than 70 local and national organizations sponsored the event, which drew 140 golfers.

The festivities began with a dinner at The Westin Providence, which included the introduction of the two winners of $10,000 scholarships from the Emeril Lagasse Endowed Scholarship Fund. The students received not only the financial awards, but also the chance to intern at one of Lagasse's restaurants.

"Having the opportunity to spend time with the students who are benefiting from the Emeril Lagasse Endowed Scholarship Fund brings it all together for me," Lagasse said. "I believe education is what sets us apart in our profession, and being able to help make that affordable makes me proud to have the scholarship bare my name."

The second day of the event was filled with 18 holes of golf at the Tournament Players Club Boston.

Golf Classic partners were The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Johnson & Wales, The Elliot Leadership Institute, Tournament Players Club Boston and Nation's Restaurant News.