Art Smith: stars can make healthy eating sexy (AP)

By J.M. HIRSCH and HOLLY RAMER J.m. Hirsch and Holly Ramer – Sat Jan 26, 4: 58 pm ET

MIAMI BEACH, Florida – defend the culture of food often hectic celebrity chef art Smith and Spike Mendelsohn, Saturday said that more stars should use their status to promote healthy eating.

Smith, who rose to prominence as personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, said that the American public loves personality, so chefs — and the athletes and movie stars — how well could tap into that fascination to do something good.

"If you don't make it sexy, if you do not make fun, they are not going to buy into it. And the fact is that for so long, when it came to health and wellness, it was not funny, "said Smith, who made healthy eating a focus audience from losing a significant amount of weight over the last few years. Also offers some healthier menu items can make a difference, he said.

"What will change America more effective and efficient becomes more chefs like Spike, like me, like Jamie (Oliver), getting the bandwagon," Smith said in an interview for Associated Press to wine and Food Festival in South Beach.

Mendelsohn, a contestant on Top Chef: Chicago, "and the chef and owner of good stuff Eatery and we, the Pizza restaurants in Washington, D.C., recognized that food television has become more about entertainment to teach people to Cook, but he believes that it is slowly coaxing people back in the kitchen.

"Most people out there get anxiety in the kitchen. I feel all this television, all these chefs doing demonstrations that are beginning to learn this really is not so difficult, "said Mendelsohn.

And even people who aren't interested in cooking for oneself can be pushed to think more about their food choices from celebrity chef, he said.

"If we manage to obtain that education through entertainment, if this is how we can deliver it to you and they'll tell you about food, I think it's the best way," he said.

Smith challenged actors and athletes to follow the lead of a celebrity chef.

"I want to see these amazing sports people say, ' Hey, why I looks like this is why I don't eat this, '" he said. "We're so that if star struck with power these people say, ' I feel great, because that's part of my scheme, ' people buy into that."

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J.M. Hirsch is food editor of The Associated Press. To see all the videos from the AP coverage of South Beach wine and Food Festival, go to http://bit.ly/f4lFT6:

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