News
Emeril Lagasse Honors Late Friend John E. Kushner
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse reserved his Miami Beach restaurant Sunday evening, May 18, for a dinner in honor of his late friend John E. Kushner. Lagasse donated his time and all the food and beverages for the event.
Lagasse met Kushner in the 1980s, while serving as head chef of the famous Commander’s Palace restaurant in New Orleans. Kushner, a commercial real estate developer, was a frequent customer – and always ordered chocolate souffle for dessert.
Barbara Kushner and her mother, Madaleen Kamenoff.
The men became friends, and when Lagasse eventually opened his own restaurant, he included the ‘’J.K. Chocolate Souffle’’ in Kushner’s honor on the menu, and featured the recipe in his first cookbook, Emeril’s New Orleans Cooking.
Barbara Kushner, widow of John, said she wanted to express her gratitude to Emeril, his staff, and all the family and friends who came to the event. “It was done so well, with so much warmth,” she said. “Emeril went out of his way to make sure the evening wasn’t so much about Emeril, it was all about Johnny.”
Brian and Jeanne Kushner listen to Lagasse talk about John E. Kushner.
Barbara Kushner lives in Coconut Grove. Her husband died in 2005 at age 56 of Alpha-1-related liver disease after many years of misdiagnosis. The dinner and a silent auction benefited the education and awareness programs of the Alpha-1 Foundation through the Kushner Family Fund.
Lagasse donated his restaurant and his presence. Barbara Kushner and her family hosted the event.
Friends of Alpha-1: Alberto Dosal, left, and his wife Lourdes with Foundation board member Gordon Cadwgan and his wife Ruth.
