Culinary Art gets a big boost

Wed., March 3, 2010

From Wire Reports

When Oprah Winfrey recently asked her former personal chef what he wanted for his 50th birthday, Art Smith’s first thought was a new treadmill.

Aim higher, she told him: How about a check to help fund the sort of healthy eating programs for children called for by another of his high-profile clients, first lady Michelle Obama?

On Monday, during a party hosted by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, Smith formally announced a $250,000 donation from Winfrey to his Common Threads nonprofit.

“I’d like to take this money to create healthy programs for children that mirror the first lady’s program,” said Smith, who recently lost 90 pounds thanks to his own healthy eating reforms.

Earlier this month, Michelle Obama announced her “Let’s Move” campaign, an effort to teach children healthier eating habits and to get better foods into school lunch programs.

Smith’s program runs more than 20 afterschool programs around the country which teach children how to cook healthy, ethnically diverse foods.

China fine once again?

Chynna Phillips has completed treatment for anxiety.

The 42-year-old singer successfully completed treatment last week and “happily returned home” to celebrate her daughter Jamieson’s 10th birthday, her publicist said.

Phillips is the half-sister of former child actress Mackenzie Phillips, who claims she had a decade-long sexual relationship with their father, John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas.

The birthday bunch

Actress Hattie Winston (“Becker”, “The Electric Company”) is 65. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 63. Actor-director Tim Kazurinksy is 60. Singer-guitarist Robyn Hitchcock is 57. Actress Miranda Richardson is 52. Rapper Tone-Loc is 44. Actress Julie Bowen (“Modern Family”) is 40. Actor David Faustino (“Married … With Children”) is 36. Actress Jessica Biel is 28.

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