Trivia

Was raised by a Japanese aunt. His wife is Japanese.

Chef/owner of "Art & Soul" in Washington, D.C.

Business partner, with Julie Latsko, of "Table 52" in Chicago.

Friend of Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson, Barack Obama.

While attending Florida State University, he completed culinary internships with "The Greenbriar" and the "Walt Disney Magic Kingdom College Program.

Exec chef/co-owner of "Table 52" in Chicago, Illinois.

Cookbook author.

Personal chef, for 10 years, to Oprah Winfrey until 2007. Has also worked for Florida Gov. Bob Graham and Gov. Jeb Bush.

Diagnosed with diabetes just before his fiftieth birthday.

Lives in Chicago with his partner, Jesus Segorio.

James Beard award winner.

Chef/co-owner, with Joe Germanotta (Lady Gaga's father), of "Joanne Trattoria", an Italian restaurant in New York City [January 23, 2012].

His foundation, Common Thread, was established to help children of low-income households to make healthy food choices.

Born in 1960, younger of two boys, to Addie Mae Smith.