A native of Jasper, Florida, Art began his career with two internships at The Greenbrier Resort. He was then selected to attend the prestigious Walt Disney Magic Kingdom College Program in Florida. Following graduation, Art took a position working at the Florida Governor's Mansion where he worked for Governor Bob Graham, now a U.S. Senator, and his wife Adele, as executive chef. Art has run his own restaurant and has cooked for families all over the globe, including politicians and celebrities. After traveling extensively through Europe and Africa as a family chef, Art took a position as chef on the American European Express Train. Once settled in Chicago, he began a career in teaching and has served as personal chef to a famous Chicago-based female talk show host since 1997. He is a contributing editor to O magazine and writes a monthly column for the food page of Oprah.com.

Art has recently created a nonprofit organization, Common Threads, based on his passionate belief that families (whether a family by blood or a family of friends) all share an innate desire to care for each other, regardless of culture, race or geographic location. Art's mission is to foster a familial environment where children learn to value each other and discover universal understanding and mutual acceptance.

Art serves on the board of directors of "Kid's Cafe," a nutrition program, for children in Minneapolis. He is currently working on his second book, Our Common Thread: World Families and Food.

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