She started out as a model, than transitioned to becoming a restaurateur and lifestyle maven. We caught up with B. Smith in the midst of recipe testing for her new book.
OH: We hear you have a new book coming out. Tell us about it.
B. Smith: It's called B. Smith Cooks Southern Style. and it will be out this September. People always think I'm from the South, and I tell them I'm from south of Pittsburgh! My book is a take on the classics: There are gumbos in there, a vegetarian etoufée instead of one with seafood or meat, a duck jambalaya. There are recipes that I have in the restaurant [B. Smith's in Washington, D.C.] that I wanted to put in the book, like a braise of black-eyed peas with greens and a grilled tomato and okra salad.
OH: Speaking of your D.C. restaurant, we know you spend a lot of time in Washington. What's the mood like there these days with the new Administration?
B. Smith: It had seemed like people were campaigning for the past three years, out on the road, not concentrating on business lunches; everything had to be about some type of serious business. Now I feel like people have loosened up and are a little freer. Even with the economy like it is, they're getting out. It's exciting, people are wanting to dress up and go out.
OH: What's the latest with your home furnishings lines?
B. Smith: One thing I'm very excited about at Bed Bath & Beyond is that I have outdoor melamine, a big sun umbrella, and even a hammock. I've been wanting to get into outdoor products. We have a restaurant in the Hamptons—B. Smith's Sag Harbor—that has a big deck, and we entertain outdoors a lot.
OH: Where do you get the inspiration for the products in your line?
B. Smith: Everywhere I've lived, I always had to have a nice apartment, no matter how small it had to look pretty and feel good. I learned that from my mother. My parents were really stylish and fashionable; we would go to museums and to see Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
OH: Has your earlier career helped?
B. Smith: When you're a model, you can't help but absorb style and culture—being shot on great locations, being wined and dined, living in Paris and Milan. I think I have multiple style personalities, which is good for me in this business.
OH: What lessons have you learned during your modeling career that still help you today?
Smith: When I was a model, I was with Wilhemina Models. I went to see her three times before she accepted me.
OH: Talk about persistence…
B.Smith: At the BET Awards (ED Note: Smith was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year) , I told people that I stood on a mountain of nos for one yes. People think, "She's attractive, life is easy for her." But no matter who you are, you have to put in the time and then energy, do your homework and be on your own path. It hasn't been particularly easy, but I was persistent.
OH: With all the different roles you play, what do you enjoy the most?
B. Smith: I like my time with my husband, and I like to travel. Whenever we travel, we always take extra days to do something personal. We'll shut down anything that has to do with business, and it's all about us.
OH: What are your suggestions for how readers can entertain this summer, even on a budget?
B. Smith: I think we can go back to an old potluck kind of entertaining. If everyone brings a little of something, it's not as big a burden on the host. What I suggest is that the host can make a menu. When people ask what they can bring, tell them—salads, casseroles and pulled pork. They are all easy to put together and easy to carry.
OH: So what's your next move?
B.Smith: I have my cookbook to look forward to, and I love going on book tour, especially when the tours are creative. When the economy gets better, we want to expand to more restaurants. And, in my home furnishings products I'm making a change to a new furniture company. Our new furniture will be out next fall 2010. I'm also in conversations with a company to do more outdoor furniture.
