Emeril Lagasse Foundation Expands Impact in Chicago with Ongoing Investments Totaling $750,000
Emeril Lagasse Foundation remains committed to its mission to inspire, mentor, and enable youth to reach their full potential through culinary, nutrition, and arts education. To date, we have proudly invested $750,000 in Chicago, supporting organizations that create lasting change. These contributions reflect our dedication to empowering young people and strengthening communities.
The Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting culinary education, Emeril Lagasse Foundation awarded a $230,000 grant to the Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment at the Illinois Restaurant Association Education Foundation. This Fall 2024 grant, made possible through a special auction lot at Carnivale du Vin this past November, honors Chef Charlie Trotter’s legacy and provides aspiring young chefs in Chicago with mentorship and resources to achieve their full potential.
Pilot Light
In addition to culinary education, we support programs that bring food education into broader learning experiences. Through the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Foundation, we awarded a $20,000 grant to Pilot Light, a Chicago-based nonprofit that connects food education to learning, cultural identity, and health. As part of our Fall 2024 grant cycle, this support will enable a culinary arts educator at Roosevelt High School to provide hands-on cooking experiences for 70 Latino students. The educator will also join the Fellowship Alumni Network and lead food advocacy projects, further expanding the program’s reach. Additionally, 28 lessons and seven food education videos will be translated into Spanish to improve access for Latino communities. This is the first human services grant awarded by the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund in Chicago, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to food education and advocacy.
Academy for Global Citizenship
As a partner school in Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) exemplifies our commitment to hands-on culinary and nutrition education. This tuition-free K-8 International Baccalaureate school empowers students through fresh food access and wellness programming. Located in a food desert on Chicago’s Southwest Side, AGC integrates sustainability into its curriculum with daily wellness education, gardening, and farm-to-table instruction.
In Spring 2022, we awarded AGC a $500,000 grant, through our signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, to support the buildout of the school’s brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, which includes five age-appropriate teaching kitchens for students in grades K-8. With access to our comprehensive K-8 garden and kitchen curriculum, students now engage in hands-on culinary education connected to fresh, locally grown food. The six-acre campus features an Early Childhood Center, a three-acre urban farm, and a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing transformative learning experiences for students and families.
Creating Lasting Change
Through these partnerships, we continue to nurture the next generation. Our commitment to Chicago spans from early childhood education through college, supporting students at every stage of their journey. This ‘cradle to craft’ approach provides young people with the knowledge, mentorship, and resources to explore their passions and build meaningful futures.
