News

'Bam!' Emeril gets into 'shoe biz'

August 16, 2016

There's nothing funny about slipping in the kitchen, but the thought of Chef Emiril Lagasse — known for his trademark expression, "Bam!" — is going from show business to shoe business to address the issue does have some humor in it. 

Lagasse has partnered with Jack Schwartz Shoes to introduce a line of slip-free footwear for kitchen professionals, according to a news release. The restaurateur and star of Emeril Liveand Top Chef, worked with the footwear company to design a slip-  and stain-resistant shoe designed that offers maximum comfort for those who spend long hours on their feet in restaurant kitchens. 

"As someone who's worked in the kitchen for over 20 years, I know how difficult it is to find a comfortable shoe that can handle the wear and tear of being on your feet all day," said Lagasse. "We wanted to create a reasonably priced, better looking and higher quality line of shoes that are comfortable and attractive. By partnering with JSSI, we were able to design a line of shoes that will keep your feet happy all day, in and out of the kitchen."

The news release said that the line features antimicrobial and water-repellent technologies, memory foam insoles and slip-resistant outsoles.  

"The restaurant shoe industry has long been known for its limited offerings and unimaginative design," said JSSI President David Schwartz. "We’ve worked closely with Emeril — an expert on the rigors of restaurant work from the kitchen to the host stand — to create a range of shoes that offer comfort, durability and style."

Another nice feature — the specialized shoes are being made available at higher-traffic locations of Shoe Carnival, which has stores in many shopping areas nationwide. 

"Slip-resistant footwear is one of the fastest growing categories in the industry right now, and Emeril's shoes will soon be at the forefront of it." said Shoe Carnival President and CEO Cliff Sifford.