Speaker Biographies

Chef Art Smith

Photo by George Burns

Art Smith, chef, author, television personality and 2002 James Beard Award nominee for his first cookbook, Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family (Hyperion, 2001), creates simple, comforting recipes designed to get busy families eating together again. His breakfast recipes offer working dads and moms new twists on old favorites that will get everybody to the breakfast table…and still make it to the bus stop on time.

Art’s commitment to family dining began with two internships at The Greenbrier Resort. He was then selected for the Walt Disney Magic Kingdom College Program. Art’s next step, at the age of 24, brought him to the Florida Governor’s Mansion where he worked for Governor Bob Graham, now a U.S. senator, and his wife Adele as executive chef.

After training and working in Florida, Art traveled extensively through Europe and Africa as a family chef aboard several transatlantic motor yachts. Upon his return to the U.S., he took a position as a chef on the American European Express Train. Ultimately settling in Chicago, Art began a career teaching. He also served as private chef for the families of various celebrities. For the past four years, he has been the personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham.

Art is a contributing editor to O magazine and writes a monthly column for the food page of Oprah.com.

More information about Art Smith

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For Further Information Contact:
Graduate School, USDA
Phone: (202) 314-3459
E-mail: fsis.outreach@usda.gov

Updated May 20, 2002