Emeril's new show on old restaurants

Emeril Lagasse, who knows something about longevity in the food world, will dissect the secrets of success of historic restaurants on a new television show.

Called “The Originals,” the show will begin airing in May on the Cooking Channel, Lagasse said in an interview with The Associated Press at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

“Everybody's doing something new, so I'm doing something old,” he said. “I'm going to restaurants around the country that have been in business 50, 75, 100 years. Places that are still in business, and are doing it right.”

One of the earliest stars launched by the Food Network, Lagasse sold the rights to his franchise of books, television shows and kitchen products to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. in 2008.

After taking some time off, he's kept busy with a variety of projects: In addition to “The Originals,” Lagasse has a new cooking show in the works for the Hallmark Channel, a 16th cookbook coming out in the fall and “three projects on the drawing board” at his various restaurants.

Working for Stewart has been a “great journey,” Lagasse said. Stewart is a valuable sounding board but has given him freedom to pursue his own projects, he said.

“The support system of not only the Emeril team but the support system of Martha's team has been incredible,” he said. “We can do things very quickly.”

Lagasse writes a monthly column for Stewart's “Everyday Food” magazine about cooking with his young son and daughter.

He said getting kids to enjoy a variety of healthy foods starts with setting a good example, in addition to involving them in the cooking process. Though his column often focuses on easy, weeknight recipes for busy families, he's encouraged that more parents appear to be making cooking with their kids a weekend activity.

“I see more parents not only cooking for friends and family, but I see more parents taking time to do something interactive with the family,” he said.

Though his new show will look at restaurants that opened decades ago, Lagasse said he doesn't spend much time reminiscing about his own past.

“I can't look back and say ‘That was great.' I've got to look forward and say, ‘What's greater?'”