Lagasse and Manning Named to 2026 TIME 100 Next List
The recognition highlights emerging leaders in culinary and athletic operations.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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Chef E.J. Lagasse and University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning were featured on the 2026 TIME 100 Next list. The publication honors 100 rising leaders across various industries annually.
Why it matters
The list serves as a notable industry indicator of emerging talent and brand influence in the professional culinary and college sports sectors. Recognition of this scale often correlates with increased public interest in the ventures and programs these figures lead.
The list recognizes 100 emerging leaders, including 23-year-old chef E.J. Lagasse and 22-year-old quarterback Arch Manning. E.J. Lagasse previously achieved recognition in 2025 as the youngest chef to lead a two-Michelin-star restaurant.
The players
E.J. Lagasse
A 23-year-old chef who leads Emeril's Restaurant and gained prominence for managing a two-Michelin-star establishment.
Arch Manning
A 22-year-old quarterback who plays for the University of Texas Longhorns football program.
The details
TIME magazine selects honorees for the 100 Next list through an editorial process that emphasizes influence and growth potential within specific fields. Mentors and public figures support these selections with written tributes that outline the professional trajectory of each honoree. For operators, this process highlights the importance of institutional recognition in building personal brand equity for rising talent.
Timeline
September 2026: TIME released the 2026 TIME 100 Next list.
Spring 2026: TIME released its 100 most influential people list.
Market Landscape
The 100 Next list operates as a subset of the annual TIME 100 influential people list, following a similar editorial selection framework. It tracks rising figures in a manner comparable to other industry-specific leadership rankings.
Operators should monitor how such high-profile lists impact the public branding and sponsorship valuation of their own rising talent. Benchmarking personnel against these industry-standard recognition lists can assist in talent retention and marketing strategies.
The takeaway
Recognition on lists like TIME 100 Next serves as a key performance indicator for the public marketability of young professionals. Business leaders should observe how these honorees leverage their new exposure to expand their operational reach in the coming year.
Further reading
For more on evolving leadership profiles and industry talent trends, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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