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

He contributed recipes and cooking advice to The Spectrum, the newest book by cardiologist and New York Times bestselling author Dean Ornish.

Smith founded the non-profit charity Common Threads, which is focused on community health through food and nutrition.

The nonprofit provides cooking and nutrition classes, along with a curriculum that aims to teach community educators how to create healthy, culturally accessible and inexpensive meals.

Months later, Smith became the head chef of Joanne Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in New York City owned by Lady Gaga's parents.