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Illinois Libraries Present is hosting a virtual event titled "Holiday Tips and Tricks with Chef Art Smith" on November 20, 2023. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Chef Art Smith, a two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, will share insights from his culinary journey to inspire holiday cooking. Smith stated, “The art of cooking, the act of feeding people, is the most engaging, most memorable way to connect with people.”
Smith's career started at the Florida Culinary Institute. He gained experience in France before moving to Chicago, where he served as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for ten years. He opened Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, known for modern Southern cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.
In addition to being a renowned chef, Smith is a cookbook author and TV personality. His appearances include shows such as Top Chef and Iron Chef America. He was named Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine and Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 2007. Currently, he is Executive Chef and Co-Owner of restaurants in several cities including Chicago and Washington D.C., and he founded Common Threads to teach low-income children how to cook healthy meals.
Monica Eng, an award-winning journalist and co-host of the food podcast “Chewing,” will join Smith in conversation during the event.
This program is organized by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a collaboration among public libraries funded partly by a grant from the Illinois State Library using funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP emphasizes inclusion and accessibility; accommodations can be requested via email at illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.
