Partner Spotlight: Chef Cardie Mortimer
Chef Cardie Mortimer: Inspiring Students, Nourishing Souls
For the past eight years, Chef Cardie Mortimer has been a devoted supporter of Emeril Lagasse Foundation and an enthusiastic champion of the Foundation’s signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen.
Chef Cardie’s story is one of passion, resilience, and a lifelong belief in the power of food to bring people together. A graduate of the New Orleans Culinary Institute in 1978, he has spent more than 45 years honing his craft. His career spans restaurants, catering, teaching, and his acclaimed program, Culinary Therapy, which blends instruction and inspiration in live cooking demonstrations for audiences ranging from high school students to hospital patients.
Chef Cardie’s inspiration came from his mother, Bette, who not only encouraged his passion but sent him to culinary school, providing the pans he still treasures today. Those formative moments taught him that food is more than ingredients and recipes; it is about sharing love through the meals you create.
Years later, when Chef Cardie met Chef Emeril during a special cooking event, a connection sparked that has continued beyond the kitchen. Chef Cardie is deeply drawn to the vision of Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen – to enrich the lives of kids through a fun, fresh perspective on food. When Emeril Lagasse Foundation President Brian Kish, first connected with him, it was clear his values aligned naturally with the program’s purpose. In schools across the country, students are learning where their food comes from, how to prepare it, and how nourishing meals can feed the mind and body. For some, it is their first time working in a garden or cooking from scratch. For others, it sparks a lifelong passion for food, just as it did for Chef Cardie.
Chef Cardie has seen the impact of the Foundation’s signature program firsthand through his volunteer work cooking alongside students, teaching signature dishes, and encouraging a sense of pride in their skills.
“If I can inspire them to see cooking as a joy, a discipline, and a way to connect with others, then I’m giving them something that will last a lifetime,” he said.
That inspiration has already come to life. In 2022, Chef Cardie partnered with students at Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen school partner, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, to cook for a sold-out audience, raising money to benefit the program. Previously, in 2020, he also served as a guest chef alongside culinary arts students at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, another Emeril Lagasse Foundation beneficiary.
Chef Cardie’s dedication extends to ensuring the program’s future as well. He was among the first to pledge his support to the Foundation’s comprehensive campaign, helping to launch the effort with confidence. Designed to raise $33 million and impact 250,000 youth by 2027, the campaign is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to create opportunities for young people for generations to come.
“Chef Cardie’s generosity is matched only by his heart,” Kish said.
“His belief in our mission and in the potential of every child we serve inspires our team and strengthens our work. We are proud to call him a partner, a champion, and a friend.”
His love for sharing the joy of food and his boundless enthusiasm continue to inspire many. Learn more about him at http://www.cardiecooks.com.