Renowned chef visits NAS Jax Navy Exchange

The event kicked off with a special VIP reception where NAS Jax Executive Officer Capt. Chuck Tam-blyn presented Lagasse with some memorabilia from the base and the chef graciously posed for pictures with guests and members of the NAS Jax Flight Line Café who arrived fully dressed in their chef's garb.

''Meeting Emeril Lagasse was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we were all thrilled to attend this event. We gave him a shirt from our café and are hoping he will wear it on his show. It was a great experience,'' said NAS Jax Food Service Officer CW03 Ruth Alecca. ''I'd really like to thank the Navy Exchange for allowing us to be part of this event and for letting us meet Emeril Lagasse. We have several Sailors working at the Flight Line Café who have entered contests offered by these famous chefs, so we talk about them all the time. We had several people from our galley attend the event and brought some people over from NS Mayport to meet him as well.''

Members of the NAS Jax Flight Line Cafe and NS Mayport Galley happily gather around international celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse at the VIP reception before a booksigning event at the NAS Jax Navy Exchange Nov. 29. Photo by MC2(AW) Suzi Cornell

''It was a great experience to meet Emeril. He was very nice and soft spoken - quite a bit different than he is on television,'' added CS3 Phillip Waddell of the NAS Jax Flight Line Café. ''He was very complimentary and seemed to enjoy taking the time to talk to us and give something back to the community here. He signed three books for me so I've got some Christmas presents.''

Lagasse was also presented with a special award and hat from NAS Jax Navy Exchange General Manager Bill Hockenberry during the VIP reception. ''We are excited to have him here today meeting our customers and promoting his newest book. I think he chose to visit us because we do so well selling his books at our Navy Exchange,'' said Hockenberry.

As Lagasse arrived in the NEX, hundreds of anxious patrons lined the store aisles with copies of his books waiting for their mo-

ment to meet the international celebrity chef. ''I think it is amazing that NAS Jacksonville offers our military people the opportunity to meet some really amazing people. Although the wait was lengthy, it was well worth it. Emeril Lagasse was extremely nice and genuine,'' said HM1 Terra Haidle, leading petty officer in file maintenance at Navy Medicine Support Command. ''Being a food lover and practicing chef myself, it was like meeting a rock star. Emeril has a very busy schedule, so taking the time out to visit the military people around the holidays will not go unappreciated. I will forever have a personalized cookbook and a 'Bam' that makes my day.''

Lt. j.g. Jeff Berger of VP-30, his wife, Tracey and son, Jonah patiently wait as international celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse signs some books for them at the NAS Jax Navy Exchange Nov. 29.

Although he was only slated to remain at the store for two hours, Lagasse vowed to stay until he had met every one of his fans. Six hours later and after signing thousands of books, Lagasse accomplished his goal. ''I have tried to support the troops in any way that I can. I did a special last year with the troops at McGuire AFB and I was a Fort Hood last year at this time, I've been to Fort Lewis. I decided to come to NAS Jacksonville to visit another branch of the armed forces that is equally as important so that's the reason I'm here today,'' said Lagasse enthusiastically. ''I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to meet the Sailors here.''

''This was an extremely successful event and we are thrilled to be able to host celebrities like Emeril Lagasse. I've got some other ideas that I'm currently working on that I'm sure will keep our customers happy,'' said Hockenberry.

International celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse signs one of his cookbooks for TM1(SW) Jarrod Thompson of NAS Jax Weapons Department at the booksigning event. Hundreds of people stopped by to get some authographed copies and meet Lagasse.

NAS Jax Navy Exchange General Manager Bill Hockenberry presents a special plaque and hat to international celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse during his visit to the NEX Nov. 29. Photos by Kaylee LaRocque

NAS Jax Executive Officer Capt. Chuck Tamblyn presents a photograph of the base and command coin to international celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse at the NAS Jax Navy Exchange Nov. 29.