Being a food show and being me, I always kicked it up a notch, which means I would always elevate the spice level or the complexity of a particular dish. So, it was always like we’re going to kick this up a little bit.

Lagasse reflects on how his on-screen persona and the format of a food television show encouraged escalation: each dish becomes an opportunity to intensify flavor, technique, or presentation. “Kick it up a notch” functions both as a personal catchphrase and as a philosophy of performance—television rewards heightened stakes, clear signatures, and repeatable gestures that audiences can anticipate. The remark also hints at a broader culinary ethic: cooking is not merely replication but refinement, pushing a recipe toward greater boldness or intricacy. In that sense, the quote captures how media can shape a chef’s style, turning creative impulses into a recognizable brand.