Chef Art Smith

As most of you know, I'm a food TV junkie. My TV is tuned to a cooking show for most of the day. Now, I'm not always watching, but it's usually on in the background. And every once in a while something will get my attention and I'll stop what I'm doing and watch.

This morning I had The Rachael Ray Show playing. (I prefer it to Kelli and Michael....) The guest on her show was Chef Art Smith. You might remember when he was awarded the James Beard Award, cooked for Oprah Winfry or was a personal chef for (then) Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The thing is, he found himself 100 pounds overweight and battling high cholesterol and diabetes. He changed his way of thinking about food and has successfully shed those 100 pounds (maybe more, I'm not sure) and now promotes a healthier eating plan.

Apparently he has a new cookbook out. That was the reason, I'm sure, for his appearance on a TV show ~ promotion of Art Smith's Healthy Comfort cookbook.

Rarely am I tempted to stop by a bookstore to get a newly released book. But, I think I just may be checking this one out, saving my pennies and investing in some healthy reading.

Beth, check it out on Amazon first as you can usually have a "look see" inside the book. It would be good to check out a recipe or two. And if you wait a little longer, you might b able to purchase one used.

I've bought a few cookbooks after trying out the recipe some chef did on a cooking show to promote the book. Most of the time I've found the only good recipe was the one they demonstrated on TV. Now I just copy the recipe and forget about getting the book.

I know exactly what you mean. I make it a point, Norm, to check out how MANY recipes are in the book -- as I've been burned before so I'm more careful now.

Agreed. That's why I was going to go to the local bookstore and actually look through the book before purchasing.

Or, I can do what I did when I was going to buy all of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks....just wait until I visit my daughter and read 'em there. She's a bookstore junkie! LOL

She gave me a Julia biography and then asked if she could borrow it to read. Not a problem! I was just happy she didn't give me one copy and then go purchase another for herself.