An allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals through Immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses.^[1]. Most humans mount significant Immunoglobulin E responses only as a defense against parasitic infections. However, some individuals may respond to many common environmental antigens. This hereditary predisposition is called atopy. In atopic individuals, non-parasitic antigens stimulate inappropriate IgE production, leading to type I hypersensitivity. Sensitivities vary widely from one person (or other animal) to another. A very broad range of substances can be allergens to sensitive individuals.

Types of allergies[link]

Allergens can be found in a variety of sources, such as dust mite excretion, pollen, pet dander or even royal jelly.^[2] Food allergies are not as common as food sensitivity, but some foods such as peanuts (a legume), nuts, seafood and shellfish are the cause of serious allergies in many people.

Officially, the United States Food and Drug Administration does recognize eight foods as being common for allergic reactions in a large segment of the sensitive population. These include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, wheat and their derivatives, and soy and their derivatives, as well as sulfites (chemical based, often found in flavors and colors in foods) at 10ppm and over. See the FDA website for complete details. It should be noted that other countries, in view of the differences in the genetic profiles of their citizens and different levels of exposure to specific foods due to different dietary habits, the "official" allergen list will change. Canada recognizes all eight of the allergens recognized by the US, and also recognizes sesame seeds,^[3] and mustard.^[4] The European Union additionally recognizes celery.

Another type of allergen is urushiol, a resin produced by poison ivy and poison oak. It causes the skin rash condition known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis by changing a skin cell's configuration so that it is no longer recognized by the immune system as part of the body. A little over half of North Americans are known to be allergic to urushiol and repeated exposure can increase one's sensitivity to the allergen.^{[citation needed]}

An allergic reaction can be caused by any form of direct contact with the allergen—consuming food or drink one is sensitive to (ingestion), breathing in pollen, perfume or pet dander (inhalation), or brushing a body part against an allergy-causing plant (direct contact). Other common causes of serious allergy are wasp, fire ant and bee stings, penicillin, and latex. An extremely serious form of an allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. One form of treatment is the administration of sterile epinephrine to the person experiencing anaphylaxis, which suppresses the body's overreaction to the allergen, and allows for the patient to be transported to a medical facility.

Fungal allergens[link]

In 1952 basidiospores were described as being possible airborne allergens^[5] and were linked to asthma in 1969.^[6] Basidiospores are the dominant airborne fungal allergens. Fungal allergies are associated with seasonal asthma.^[7][8] They are considered to be a major source of airborne allergens.^[9] The basidospore family include mushrooms, rusts, smuts, brackets, and puffballs. The airborne spores from mushrooms reach levels comparable to those of mold and pollens. The levels of mushroom respiratory allergy are as high as 30 percent of those with allergic disorder, but it is believed to be less than 1 percent of food allergies.^[10][11] Heavy rainfall (which increases fungal spore release) is associated with increased hospital admissions of children with asthma.^[12] A study in New Zealand found that 22 percent of patients with respiratory allergic disorders tested positive for basidiospores allergies.^[13] Mushroom spore allergies can cause either immediate allergic symptomatology or delayed allergic reactions. Those with asthma are more likely to have immediate allergic reactions and those with allergic rhinitis are more likely to have delayed allergic responses.^[14] A study found that 27 percent of patients were allergic to basidiomycete mycelia extracts and 32 percent were allergic to basidiospore extracts, thus demonstrating the high incidence of fungal sensitisation in individuals with suspected allergies.^[15] It has been found that of basidiomycete cap, mycelia, and spore extracts that spore extracts are the most reliable extract for diagnosing basidiomycete allergy.^[16][17]

In Canada, 8% of children attending allergy clinics were found to be allergic to Ganoderma, a basidiospore.^[18] Pleurotus ostreatus,^[19] cladosporium,^[20] and calvatia cyathiformis are significant airborne spores.^[9] Other significant fungal allergens include aspergillus and alternaria-penicillin families.^[21] In India fomes pectinatis is a predominant air-borne allergen affecting up to 22 percent of patients with respiratory allergies.^[22] Some fungal air-bourne allergens such as coprinus comatus are associated with worsening of eczematous skin lesions.^[23] Children who are born during autumn months (during fungal spore season) are more likely to develop asthmatic symptoms later in life.^[24]

Common allergens[link]

SEM of miscellaneous plant pollens. Pollens are very common allergens.

The house dust mite, its feces and chitin are common allergens around the home

In addition to foreign proteins found in foreign serum (from blood transfusions) and vaccines, common allergens include:

• Animal products
  • Fel d 1 (cat allergy)
  • fur and dander
  • cockroach calyx
  • wool
  • dust mite excretion
• Drugs
  • penicillin
  • sulfonamides
  • salicylates (also found naturally in numerous fruits)
• Foods
  • celery and celeriac ^[25]
  • corn or maize
  • eggs (typically albumen, the white)
  • fruit
    • pumpkin
  • legumes
    • beans
    • peas
    • peanuts
    • soybeans
  • milk
  • seafood
  • sesame
  • soy
  • tree nuts
    • pecans
    • almonds
  • wheat
• Insect stings
  • bee sting venom
  • wasp sting venom
  • mosquito stings
• Mold spores
• Other
  • latex
  • metal
• Plant pollens (hay fever)
  • grass — ryegrass, timothy-grass
  • weeds — ragweed, plantago, nettle, artemisia vulgaris, chenopodium album, sorrel
  • trees — birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, aesculus, willow, poplar, platanus, tilia, olea, Ashe juniper

Seasonal allergies[link]

Seasonal allergy symptoms are commonly experienced part of the year, usually during spring, summer or fall when certain trees or grasses pollinate. This depends on the kind of tree or grass. For instance, some trees such as oak, elm, and maple pollinate in the spring, while grasses such as Bermuda, timothy and orchard pollinate in the summer.

Grass allergy is generally linked to hay fever because their symptoms and causes are somehow similar to each other. Symptoms include rhinitis, which causes sneezing and a runny nose, as well as allergic conjunctivitis, which includes watering and itchy eyes.^[26] Also an initial tickle on the roof of the mouth or in the back of the throat may be experienced.

Also, depending on the season, the symptoms may be more severe and people may experience coughing, wheezing, and irritability. A few people even become depressed, lose their appetite, or have problems sleeping. Moreover, since the sinuses may also become congested, some people experience headaches.^[27]

If both parents suffered from allergies in the past, there is a 66% chance for the individual to suffer from seasonal allergies, and the risk lowers to 60% if just one parent had suffered from allergies. The immune system also has strong influence on seasonal allergies, since it reacts differently to diverse allergens like pollen. When an allergen enters the body of an individual that is predisposed to allergies, it triggers an immune reaction and the production of antibodies. These allergen antibodies migrate to mast cells lining the nose, eyes and lungs. When an allergen drifts into the nose more than once, mast cells release a slew of chemicals or histamines that irritate and inflame the moist membranes lining the nose and produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction: scratchy throat, itching, sneezing and watery eyes. Some symptoms that differentiate allergies from a cold include^[28]:

• No fever or muscle ache.
• Mucous secretions are runny and clear.
• Sneezes occurring in rapid and several sequences.
• Itchy throat, ears and nose.
• These symptoms usually last longer than 7–10 days.

Among seasonal allergies, there are some allergens that fuse together and produce a new type of allergy. For instance, grass pollen allergens cross-react with food allergy proteins in vegetables such as onion, lettuce, carrots, celery and corn. Besides, the cousins of birch pollen allergens, like apples, grapes, peaches, celery and apricots, produce severe itching in the ears and throat. The cypress pollen allergy brings a cross reactivity between diverse species like olive, privet, ash and Russian olive tree pollen allergens. In some rural areas there is another form of seasonal grass allergy, combining airborne particles of pollen mixed with mold.^[29] Recent research has suggested that humans might develop allergies as a defense to fight off parasites. According to Yale University Immunologist Dr Ruslan Medzhitov, protease allergens cleave the same sensor proteins that evolved to detect proteases produced by the parasitic worms.^[30] Additionally, a new report on seasonal allergies called “Extreme allergies and Global Warming”, have found that many allergy triggers are worsening due to climate change. 16 states in the United States were named as “Allergen Hotspots” for large increases in allergenic tree pollen if global warming pollution keeps increasing. Therefore, researchers on this report claimed that global warming is bad news for millions of asthmatics in the United States whose asthma attacks are triggered by seasonal allergies.^[31] Indeed, seasonal allergies are one of the main triggers for asthma, along with colds or flu, cigarette smoke and exercise. In Canada, for example, up to 75% of asthmatics also have seasonal allergies.^[32]

Seasonal Allergy Diagnosis[link]

Based on the symptoms seen on the patient, the answers given in terms of symptom evaluation and a physical exam, doctors can make a diagnosis to identify if the patient has a seasonal allergy. After performing the diagnosis, the doctor is able to tell the main cause of the allergic reaction and recommend the treatment to follow. 2 tests have to be done in order to determine the cause: a blood test and a skin test. Allergists do skin tests in one of two ways: either dropping some purified liquid of the allergen onto the skin and pricking the area with a small needle; or injecting a small amount of allergen under the skin.^[33] Alternative tools are available to identify seasonal allergies, such as laboratory tests, imaging tests and nasal endoscopy. In the laboratory tests, the doctor will take a nasal smear and it will be examined microscopically for factors that may indicate a cause: increased numbers of eosinophils (white blood cells), which indicates an allergic condition. If there is a high count of eosinophils, an allergic condition might be present. Another laboratory test is the blood test for IgE (immunoglobulin production), such as the radioallergosorbent Test (RAST), implemented to detect high levels of allergen-specific IgE in response to particular allergens. Although blood tests are less accurate than the skin tests, they can be performed on patients unable to undergo skin testing. Imaging tests can be useful to detect sinusitis in people suffering from chronic rhinitis, and they can work when other test results are ambiguous. There is also nasal endoscopy, wherein a tube is inserted through the nose with a small camera to view the passageways and examine any irregularities in the nose structure. Endoscopy can be used for some cases of chronic or unresponsive seasonal rhinitis.^[34]

Treatment[link]

Treatment includes over-the-counter medications, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, allergy shots, and alternative medicine.

In the case of nasal symptoms, antihistamines are normally the first option. They may be taken together with pseudoephedrine to help relieve a stuffy nose and they can stop the itching and sneezing. Some over-the-counter options are Benadryl and Tavist. However, these antihistamines may cause extreme drowsiness, therefore, people are advised to not operate heavy machinery or drive while taking this kind of medication. Other side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty with urination, confusion, and light-headedness.^[35]

There is also a newer second generation of antihistamines that are generally classified as the "non-sedating antihistamines" or anti-drowsy, which include cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine.^[36]

An example of nasal decongestants is pseudoephedrine and its side-effects include insomnia, restlessness, and difficulty urinating. Some other nasal sprays are available by prescription, including Azelastine and Ipratropium. Some of their side-effects include drowsiness. For eye symptoms, it is important to first bath the eyes with plain eyewashes to reduce the irritation. People should not wear contact lenses during episodes of conjunctivitis.

Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, are also available and are especially recommended for people who cannot tolerate allergy medications or who severe symptoms, and also for those who develop asthma during pollen season.

Immunotherapy contains a small amount of the substance that triggers the allergic reactions ^[37] and it should start after the pollen season to get prepared for the next season.

Natural remedies are another option that patients look to for relief. One of the most popular recently is the European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus). The British Medical Journal published a study in which Swiss researchers proved how one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as an antihistamine in controlling symptoms of hay fever. On a second study, a group of British researchers gave their approval to butterbur's effectiveness in battling symptoms of grass allergy. Other herbal supplements that function as remedies include freeze-dried nettles (Urtica) and a tonic made from the goldenseal herb (Hydrastis candiensis), which doctors recommend in addition to saline nasal spray (another natural remedy).^[38]

See also[link]

• Asthma
• Bioaerosol
• Eczema
• Eggshell skull
• Hypoallergenic
• Immunodiagnostics
• List of allergies
• Nose filter
• Oral allergy syndrome
• Toxin

Links[link]

• General information on allergy and allergens
• Allermatch - Sequence comparison to allergenic proteins
• SDAP - Structural database of allergenic proteins
• Allergome Database
• Allergen Nomenclature

References[link]

1. ^ Goldsby, Richard A., et al.,Immunology. 5th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman
2. ^ Rosmilah, M; et al. (December 2008). "Characterization of major allergens of royal jelly Apis mellifera". Trop Biomed 25 (3): 243–51. PMID 19287364. 
3. ^ "Health Canada: Food Allergies". http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/index_e.html. Retrieved 2007-06-09. 
4. ^ "CFIA: Revised Labelling Regulations for Food Allergens, Gluten Sources and Sulphites (Amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations)". http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/20110216inde.shtml. Retrieved 2011-02-28. 
5. ^ GREGORY, PH.; HIRST, JM. (Sep 1952). "Possible role of basidiospores as air-borne allergens". Nature 170 (4323): 414–414. DOI:10.1038/170414a0. PMID 12993181. 
6. ^ Herxheimer, H.; Hyde, HA.; Williams, DA. (Jul 1969). "Allergic asthma caused by basidiospores". Lancet 2 (7612): 131–3. PMID 4183245. 
7. ^ Hasnain, SM.; Wilson, JD.; Newhook, FJ. (May 1985). "Fungal allergy and respiratory disease". N Z Med J 98 (778): 342–6. PMID 3858721. 
8. ^ Levetin, E. (Apr 1989). "Basidiospore identification". Ann Allergy 62 (4): 306–10. PMID 2705657. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Horner, WE.; Lopez, M.; Salvaggio, JE.; Lehrer, SB. (1991). "Basidiomycete allergy: identification and characterization of an important allergen from Calvatia cyathiformis". Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 94 (1–4): 359–361. DOI:10.1159/000235403. PMID 1937899. 
10. ^ Sprenger, JD.; Altman, LC.; O'Neil, CE.; Ayars, GH.; Butcher, BT.; Lehrer, SB. (Dec 1988). "Prevalence of basidiospore allergy in the Pacific Northwest". J Allergy Clin Immunol 82 (6): 1076–1080. DOI:10.1016/0091-6749(88)90146-7. PMID 3204251. 
11. ^ Koivikko, A.; Savolainen, J. (Jan 1988). "Mushroom allergy". Allergy 43 (1): 1–10. DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1988.tb02037.x. PMID 3278649. 
12. ^ Khot, A.; Burn, R.; Evans, N.; Lenney, W.; Storr, J. (Jul 1988). "Biometeorological triggers in childhood asthma". Clin Allergy 18 (4): 351–358. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1988.tb02882.x. PMID 3416418. 
13. ^ Hasnain, SM.; Wilson, JD.; Newhook, FJ.; Segedin, BP. (May 1985). "Allergy to basidiospores: immunologic studies". N Z Med J 98 (779): 393–6. PMID 3857522. 
14. ^ Santilli, J.; Rockwell, WJ.; Collins, RP. (Sep 1985). "The significance of the spores of the Basidiomycetes (mushrooms and their allies) in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis". Ann Allergy 55 (3): 469–71. PMID 4037433. 
15. ^ Lehrer, SB.; Lopez, M.; Butcher, BT.; Olson, J.; Reed, M.; Salvaggio, JE. (Sep 1986). "Basidiomycete mycelia and spore-allergen extracts: skin test reactivity in adults with symptoms of respiratory allergy". J Allergy Clin Immunol 78 (3 Pt 1): 478–485. DOI:10.1016/0091-6749(86)90036-9. PMID 3760405. 
16. ^ Weissman, DN.; Halmepuro, L.; Salvaggio, JE.; Lehrer, SB. (1987). "Antigenic/allergenic analysis of basidiomycete cap, mycelia, and spore extracts". Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 84 (1): 56–61. DOI:10.1159/000234398. PMID 3623711. 
17. ^ Liengswangwong, V.; Salvaggio, JE.; Lyon, FL.; Lehrer, SB. (May 1987). "Basidiospore allergens: determination of optimal extraction methods". Clin Allergy 17 (3): 191–198. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1987.tb02003.x. PMID 3608137. 
18. ^ Tarlo, SM.; Bell, B.; Srinivasan, J.; Dolovich, J.; Hargreave, FE. (Jul 1979). "Human sensitization to Ganoderma antigen". J Allergy Clin Immunol 64 (1): 43–49. DOI:10.1016/0091-6749(79)90082-4. PMID 447950. 
19. ^ Lopez, M.; Butcher, BT.; Salvaggio, JE.; Olson, JA.; Reed, MA.; McCants, ML.; Lehrer, SB. (1985). "Basidiomycete allergy: what is the best source of antigen?". Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 77 (1–2): 169–170. DOI:10.1159/000233775. PMID 4008070. 
20. ^ Stephen, E.; Raftery, AE.; Dowding, P. (Aug 1990). "Forecasting spore concentrations: a time series approach". Int J Biometeorol 34 (2): 87–89. DOI:10.1007/BF01093452. PMID 2228299. 
21. ^ Dhillon, M. (May 1991). "Current status of mold immunotherapy". Ann Allergy 66 (5): 385–92. PMID 2035901. 
22. ^ Gupta, SK.; Pereira, BM.; Singh, AB. (Mar 1999). "Fomes pectinatis: an aeroallergen in India". Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 17 (1): 1–7. PMID 10403002. 
23. ^ Fischer, B.; Yawalkar, N.; Brander, KA.; Pichler, WJ.; Helbling, A. (Oct 1999). "Coprinus comatus (shaggy cap) is a potential source of aeroallergen that may provoke atopic dermatitis". J Allergy Clin Immunol 104 (4 Pt 1): 836–841. DOI:10.1016/S0091-6749(99)70295-2. PMID 10518829. 
24. ^ Harley, KG.; Macher, JM.; Lipsett, M.; Duramad, P.; Holland, NT.; Prager, SS.; Ferber, J.; Bradman, A. et al. (Apr 2009). "Fungi and pollen exposure in the first months of life and risk of early childhood wheezing". Thorax 64 (4): 353–358. DOI:10.1136/thx.2007.090241. PMID 19240083. 
25. ^ Bublin M; Radauer C; Wilson IBH; Kraft D; Scheiner O; Breiteneder H; Hoffmann-Sommergruber K (2003). "Cross-reactive N-glycans of Api g 5, a high molecular weight glycoprotein allergen from celery, are required for immunoglobulin E binding and activation of effector cells from allergic patients". FASEB 17 (12): 1697–1699. DOI:10.1096/fj.02-0872fje. PMID 12958180. http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/full/17/12/1697 
26. ^ "Seasonal Allergy - What to Know". http://seasonalallergies.us/. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
27. ^ "Seasonal Allergies". http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec16/ch185/ch185b.html. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
28. ^ Seasonal allergies: Something to sneeze at CBS News. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
29. ^ Seasonal Allergies: What to know Seasonal Allergy. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
30. ^ Parasites behind seasonal allergies ABC Science. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
31. ^ Weinmann, Aileo (2010-04-14) Seasonal allergies getting worse from Climate Change National Wildlife Federation. Media Center. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
32. ^ Asthma and Allergies: The Symptoms Asthma & Allergies. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
33. ^ Seasonal Allergies Kids Health. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
34. ^ Allergic Rhinitis New York Times Health Guide. Retrieved on 2010-08-31
35. ^ "Seasonal Allergies". http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease-mono.aspx?contentFileName=BHG01AL10.xml&contentName=Seasonal+allergies&contentId=134&sectionMonograph=ht4. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
36. ^ "Non-Sedating or Anti-Drowsy Antihistamine Tablets". http://www.hayfeverpharmacy.co.nz/products/antihistamine-tablets. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
37. ^ "Allergy shots". http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-shots/MY01158. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
38. ^ Relieve Allergies the Natural Way Web MD. Retrieved on 2010-08-31

Margaret Christensen (8 January 1921 – 30 November 2009) was an Australian actress and radio host.

She started her radio career in the 1940s, hosting both comedy and dramas, and began with movie acting in the 1950s. She has appeared in several TV series like Skippy, Division 4, Homicide, A Country Practice and All Saints.^[1][2]

Christensen was one of the last great stars of the halcyon days of Australian radio. A casual listen around the radio dial during the 1940s and 1950s would have found Christensen (Peg to her friends) in all sorts of comedy, variety and drama shows. She was one of the industry's most versatile and in-demand performers.

The sheer longevity of her career is noteworthy of itself, while the list of performers with whom she appeared runs from Peter Finch, Rod Taylor and Bud Tingwell through to Jack Davey, 'Mo' and, more recently, Shaun Micallef.

Born in Adelaide in 1921, Christensen moved to Sydney with her family and began lessons in speech and drama at age six. Her teacher, Doris Patterson, guided her through the Trinity College examinations and, at just sixteen, she gained a teacher's diploma, with honours in voice production and literature. Two years later, she won a scholarship for further training at Trinity College, London, but was unable to take it due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

To gain radio experience, Christensen moved to Brisbane where her brother, Chris Christensen, worked as an announcer. Over the next three years she presented many shows on 4BH. She also met and married Dan Scully, leader of the Will Quintrell Theatre Orchestra and gave birth to a daughter Wendy, who, at an early age, displayed a prodigious musical talent appearing as a Quiz Kid and as a guest in various other shows. Wendy today remains a pianist of concert standard.

In 1943 the family moved back to Sydney, where Christensen decided to do some leg work around the studios. Gradually she picked up small roles, most notable as Jane in the serial of Pride and Prejudice where she worked alongside her idol Lyndall Barbour. Her big break came when she was auditioned by producer E. Mason Wood, gaining the lead role in another serial, Josephine, Empress of Sorrows.

In 1947 she gave birth to a second child, a son, Sean.

From 1949 to 1954 she was Lois Lane to Leonard Teale's 'Superman' and was also a regular presenter of commercials and sketches in the big variety shows like Calling the Stars.

The pinnacle of her radio career was winning the 1953 Macquarie Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her portrayal of Gabby in The Petrified Forest.

In 1956 she moved into film, playing the mother of the young hero in the now iconic Australian movie Smiley, a role she repeated in the l958 sequel, Smiley Gets a Gun. She was also probably Australia's first female disc jockey, 'The Side Saddle DJ' introducing popular music to 2UE listeners.

In 1959, with radio rapidly losing ground to television, Christensen decided to try her luck in London, taking her now eleven-year-old son Sean with her. She stayed for seven years, working in radio and on stage, notably in the premiere production of Noël Coward's Sail Away on the West End, directed by Coward himself and starring Elaine Stritch.

It was at this time that her son, Sean Scully, discovered his own sizeable acting talent, playing Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island on the London stage, with Spike Milligan. In 1963, mother and son travelled together to New York, where Sean was also directed by Coward in the Broadway production of his latest show.

Back in the UK, Sean aged 16, won the 1964 London Shakespears Restival from a field of six hundred amateur and professional actors. Incredibly, he was coached for the performance by his mother's childhood tutor, Doris Patterson, then resident in London. Sean continues a career distinguished by many fine performances.

Returning to Sydney in 1966, Christensen went straight into a number of stage productions, including Funny Girl with Jill Perryman. Her daughter Wendy was also in that production alongside her mother. Christensen was also The Matchmaker in the Australian production of Fiddler on the Roof with Hayes Gordon.

In the early 1970s she spent time in Japan, where Wendy was raising a young family. There she taught English to Japanese businessmen and over-dubbed the voice tracks to Japanese films.

Almost to the end she continued as a voice-over artist: appearing occasionally in television shows such as Stingers, All Saints, and Blue Heelers.

In more recent years she moved from Sydney to Melbourne to be nearer to Wendy, Sean and her extended family.

In 2008 she was awarded the OAM for her services to radio, television, film and the arts and for community service.

It was in Melbourne that she died, after a short illness.

References[link]

Emeril Lagasse

Born	Emeril John Lagasse (1959-10-15) October 15, 1959 (age 52)[1] Fall River, Massachusetts, United States
Cooking style	Cajun, Portuguese, Creole, and French
Education	Diman Regional Voc Tech High School
Spouse	Elizabeth Kief (m. 1978–1986) «start: (1978)–end+1: (1987)»"Marriage: Elizabeth Kief to Emeril Lagasse" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Emeril_Lagasse) 2 children Tari Hohn (m. 1989–1996) «start: (1989)–end+1: (1997)»"Marriage: Tari Hohn to Emeril Lagasse" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Emeril_Lagasse) Alden Lovelace (m. 2000) «start: (2000)»"Marriage: Alden Lovelace to Emeril Lagasse" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Emeril_Lagasse) 2 children
Current restaurant(s) Emeril's Restaurant (New Orleans); NOLA (New Orleans); Emeril's New Orleans Tartar House (Las Vegas); Emeril's Delmonico (New Orleans); Emeril's Orlando (Universal Studios, Orlando); Delmonico Steakhouse (Las Vegas); Emeril's Tchoup Chop (Orlando); Emeril's Miami Beach (Miami Beach); Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House (Gulfport); Table 10 (Las Vegas); Lagasse's Stadium (Las Vegas); e2 Emeril's Eatery (Charlotte); Emeril's Chop House (Bethlehem)
Television show(s) The Emeril Lagasse Show, Emeril Live, Essence of Emeril, Emeril Green

Emeril John Lagasse (pronounced /ˈɛmərəl ləˈɡɑːsi/ EM-ər-əl lə-GAH-see; born October 15, 1959)^[1] is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. A regional James Beard Award winner, he is perhaps most notable for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril as well as catchphrases such as “Kick it up a notch!” and “Bam!”^[2][3] The "Emeril Empire" of media, products and restaurants generates an estimated US$150 million annually in revenue.^[4]

Personal life[link]

Lagasse was born on October 15, 1959, in Fall River, Massachusetts to a Canadian Québécois father, John, and Portuguese mother, Hilda. He worked in a Portuguese bakery as a teenager where he discovered his talent for cooking and subsequently enrolled in a culinary arts program at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School.^[1] His talents as a percussionist earned him a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music but he chose instead to attend Johnson & Wales University in hopes of becoming a chef. He met his first wife, Elizabeth Kief, while working at a restaurant called "Venus De Milo" to pay his way through school.^[1] He graduated from Johnson and Wales in 1978 and the school later awarded him a honorary doctorate.^[5]

In 1982 Lagasse succeeded Paul Prudhomme as Commander's Palace's executive chef.^[6]

After the birth of daughters Jessica and Jillian,^[7] Elizabeth Kief and Lagasse divorced. Lagasse married a second time to a fashion designer, Tari Hohn, but that too ended in divorce.^[6] Lagasse married a third time on May 13, 2000 to a real estate broker, Alden Lovelace.^[6] He and Lovelace had a son, Emeril John Lagasse IV, on March 2003, and a daughter, Meril Lovelace Lagasse, on December 10, 2004.^[7]

In 2010 as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Lagasse appeared in a commercial to raise awareness for the spill. Also starring in the commercial were Sandra Bullock, Peyton and Eli Manning, Jack Del Rio, Drew Brees, James Carville, Blake Lively, and John Goodman.

Career[link]

Lagasse initially gained fame in the culinary world as executive chef of Commander’s Palace. After leaving Commander’s he opened his first restaurant, Emeril’s, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1990. It was designated “Restaurant of the Year” in Esquire magazine of that year. Lagasse is mainly known for his emphasis on Creole and Cajun cooking styles. Indeed, many of his restaurants—as well as his corporate office—Emeril’s Homebase, are located in New Orleans. Lagasse is the executive chef and proprietor of thirteen restaurants.

In April 2008 Emeril closed the doors on Emeril’s Atlanta, which had been open since 2003.

In May 2009 during preparations for the opening of Emeril's Chop House at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Emeril announced that he has plans to open two more restaurants in the resort—the first of which will open in November 2009 and will focus on gourmet burgers.^[8]

In August 2011, Emeril's Miami closed its doors.

Emeril Lagasse now has three restaurants at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Emeril's Chop House, Burgers and More by Emeril, and Emeril's Italian Table. There are currently no plans to open any more at this location.

Lagasse also recently opened a new restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina named e2 Emeril's Eatery. This was opened to acclaim in Uptown Charlotte on Jan. 26, 2011. It features most of Emeril's specialties, but also including local NC favorites, including NC caught seafoods. It is located near the Duke Energy Center in Uptown, near other upscale restaurants. Emeril made personal appearances on Jan. 26 and 27 to open this new restaurant.

Television and film[link]

Emeril first appeared on television on the show Great Chefs where he was featured on no fewer than ten episodes including Great Chefs, the Louisiana New Garde, New Orleans Jazz Brunch and Great Chefs - Great Cities.^[9] After several appearances on several other FoodTV programs, Lagasse hosted his own show, The Essence of Emeril. “Essence” in the title refers to Emeril’s Essence, the name of a spice blend of his own concoction that he frequently uses in his cooking, and which is commercially available in several flavors. He also often suggested that viewers of his show create their own spice blends that reflect their personal tastes and be unafraid to use them to customize the dishes he would teach. Lagasse has been nominated eight times for a Daytime Emmy Award for his Food Network shows without winning. On November 27, 2007 The Food Network announced that it would be canceling the Emeril Live show on December 11, 2007. The Food Network, however, stated that Essence of Emeril will continue production.

Lagasse briefly starred in a self-titled TV sitcom on NBC during the 2001 fall season with Robert Urich, but it was canceled after several episodes and widely panned by critics. Lagasse also appeared on Shop at Home Network (which, like Food Network, was owned by Scripps Networks), on the show From Emeril's Kitchen from 2005–06. The program was discontinued after Scripps liquidated Shop at Home’s assets to Jewelry Television in June 2006. Lagasse has appeared on the Home Shopping Network for the channel's 30th anniversary.

On television, Lagasse is known for his light and jovial hosting style as well as several catchphrases, including "Bam!",^[10] "kick it up a notch," "aw, yeah, babe" and "feel the love," usually said before or after adding something spicy to a dish, or after the reaction to adding something, respectively. When frying or making dishes like sausage, Lagasse advocates using genuine lard, boasting, "Pork fat rules!" This style developed fully and Lagasse became more comfortable when a live studio audience was added in the change from Essence of Emeril to Emeril Live.

Lagasse also acted as Grand Marshall of the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade and presided over the nationally telecast coin-toss before the game wearing a business suit—a rarity for Lagasse who is normally attired in chef's garb.

Lagasse is currently hosting his new daily series Emeril Green that airs on Discovery Channel's new eco-lifestyle network Planet Green. Emeril Green is filmed on location at Whole Foods Markets across the United States.^[11]

Emeril made a guest appearance on Jon & Kate Plus 8 during the show's 5th season to help celebrate their 100th episode in May 2009. He also provided the voice of Marlon the Gator in the 2009 Disney film, The Princess and the Frog.

In November 2009 Lagasse announced that he is planning a new cooking show featuring him that he hopes will be featured on network prime time television.^[12]

Lagasse also teamed with fellow Food Network personality Mario Batali in a tag battle against Bobby Flay and White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford on an episode of Iron Chef America which aired on January 2, 2010.^[13]

In April 2010 Lagasse began hosting a new weekly variety program, The Emeril Lagasse Show, which airs on Ion Television each Sunday.^[14] On the Animated television show Futurama, Lagasse is parodied by the Alien Chef Elzar, who often uses Lagasse's signature "BAM!" and "Kick it up a notch!"

In September 2011, he hosted a show from Hallmark called Emeril's Table.

Contribution to space exploration[link]

In August 2006 Lagasse contributed several recipes to the meal selection aboard the International Space Station, as part of a general NASA effort to improve the quality of the food supply for astronauts. Lagasse’s cuisine in particular was selected in the hopes that the spicier fare would offset the reported tendency of microgravity to deaden flavors.^[15]

Cuisine[link]

Lagasse describes what he calls his new and different use of local, Louisiana ingredients in his own interpretation of Creole, strongly influenced by Asian, Portuguese, and Southwestern, as “New New Orleans” cooking.^{[citation needed]} The styles of cuisine from Lagasse’s many restaurants vary a great deal from one another. Tchoup-Chop in Orlando is “Pan-Asian” while Delmonico at The Venetian in Las Vegas is a steakhouse with a Southern flair.

Merchandising and endorsements[link]

Lagasse has a wide range of Emeril-branded products. On June 8, 2000 he signed a deal with B&G Foods to create a line of dry grocery products marketed under the label Emeril's.^[16] The product line includes pasta sauces, marinades, salsas and Lagasses' signature "Essence" spice blend. He followed this up in 2004 by lending his name to a line of fresh produce made by Pride of San Juan. The products, branded "Emeril's Gourmet Produce," include spring mix salad blends, fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes. He now also has canned pasta like Chef Boyardee.^[17]

Lagasse also has two lines of kitchen knives produced by Wüsthof and cookware made by All-Clad as well as a line of kitchen electrical appliances made by T-Fal.

He has appeared in Crest toothpaste commercials yelling his signature catchphrase, "BAM!".

On February 19, 2008 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced it had acquired the rights to all Emeril products including cookware, cookbooks, television shows and food products in a $50 million agreement. Lagasse retains rights to his restaurants and corporate offices.^[18]

Lagasse also hosted a YouTube contest for Crest Whitening Expressions toothpaste called What's Your Catch Phrase?^[19]

Writing[link]

Lagasse has written several best-selling cookbooks, from Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking, his first book which was published in 1993, to Emeril's Delmonico, published in 2005.

• Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking (1993) ISBN 978-0-688-11284-4
• Louisiana Real and Rustic (1996) ISBN 978-0-688-12721-3
• Emeril’s Creole Christmas (1997) ISBN 978-0-688-14691-7
• Emeril’s TV Dinners (1998) ISBN 978-0-688-16378-5
• Every Day’s a Party (1999) ISBN 978-0-688-16430-0
• Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup!: Recipes for the Kid in Everyone (2002) ISBN 978-0-688-17706-5
• From Emeril's Kitchens: Favorite Recipes from Emeril's Restaurants (2003) ISBN 978-0-06-018535-0
• Emeril's Potluck: Comfort Food with a Kicked-Up Attitude (2004) ISBN 978-0-688-16431-7
• Emeril's Delmonico: A Restaurant with a Past (2005) ISBN 978-0-06-074046-9
• Emeril at the Grill: A Grilling Book for all Seasons (2009) ISBN 978-0-06-174274-3
• Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast (2009) ISBN 978-0-06-174294-1
• Farm to Fork Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh (2010) ISBN 978-0-06-174295-8

Restaurants[link]

Emeril Lagasse has his own chain of restaurants across America. These include:

• Orlando Emeril's Orlando, Emeril's Tchoup Chop
• New Orleans -- Emeril's New Orleans, NOLA Restaurant, Emeril's Delmonico
• Las Vegas: Emeril's at MGM Grand, Delmonico at The Venetian, Table 10 at The Palazzo, Lagasse's Stadium at The Palazzo
• Charlotte, North Carolina: e2 Emeril's Eatery
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Emeril's Chop House at the Sands Casino Resort, BAM (Burgers and More) at the Sands Casino Resort

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Emeril Lagasse

• Official website
• Emeril at the Internet Movie Database (TV show)
• Emeril Green TV show
• Emeril Live TV show
• Essence of Emeril TV show
• Emeril Lagasse at the Internet Movie Database
• Interview with Emeril Lagasse
• Emeril Lagasse on Good Morning America
• Emeril Lagasse at the Chef and Restaurant Database