Paul Smith

James Beard Award-Winning Chef

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South Charleston, WV, USA
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Paul Smith Biography

Paul Smith’s deeply engrained love of both cooking and West Virginia can be traced back to his childhood, standing alongside his grandfather helping to stir the sauce for the large Sunday dinners so common among Italian families who had settled in the coalfields.

From those beginnings, Smith’s passions for food and his Appalachian home have taken him on a culinary journey that he is proud to share with his community. After graduating from Charleston Catholic High School, Smith immersed himself in learning the hospitality industry and the finer points of great cuisine. With his BA from West Virginia State University, he formally trained at New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America and CIA’s Greystone campus in Napa Valley, California, where he studied pastries and wine and graduated as valedictorian.

Smith has worked around the country -- from The Ritz Carlton Resort in Naples, Florida to the world-renowned Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina to The Windsor Club in Vero Beach, Florida. Taking the tastes and techniques of every stop along his culinary journey, he longed to return to his roots and tell these culinary stories through the traditions and flavors of Appalachia. When the Mountain State pulled at his heartstrings, he returned to West Virginia where he served as the Executive Chef at the University of Charleston and also served as an advisor to multiple food and hospitality businesses in West Virginia.

Today, as Corporate Chef for Buzz Food Service, Smith has multiple restaurants in Charleston, West Virginia’s capital: Barkadas, The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill, and 1010 Bridge Restaurant & Catering, which quickly gained a reputation as one of the state’s premiere dining destinations. Named West Virginian of the year in 2023, Smith won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2024, the first West Virginia chef to do so.

Paul Smith Videos

  • Paul Smith - Discover UC
    From New York City to Napa Valley to the Biltmore Hotel, West Virginia native Chef Paul Smith has been almost everywhere but when asked about his...

FAQs on booking Paul Smith

  • How do I book Paul Smith to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Paul Smith for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Paul Smith, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Paul Smith or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Paul Smith

    Speaking fees for Paul Smith, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Paul Smith are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Paul Smith, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Paul Smith speak about?

    Paul Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Food & Beverage, Hospitality.
  • Where does Paul Smith travel from?

    Paul Smith generally travels from South Charleston, WV, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Paul Smith for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Paul Smith for your next private or corporate function.
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Paul Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Paul Smith for your event is available upon request. Paul Smith generally travels from South Charleston, WV, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Harley Peet, Charlie Mitchell, Kelly Whitaker, Gregory Gourdet and Akkapong "Earl" Ninsom. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Paul Smith for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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