Oprah's Beloved 'Chef Art' Is Engaged

By Alyssa Shelasky

Thursday April 08, 2010 09:30 AM EDT

Oprah Winfrey and Art Smith

Harpo/AP

• Facebook
• Tweet

Art Smith, personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and contestant on Top Chef Masters, has not only lost 100 lbs., he's gained a fiancé.

Known as Chef Art to friends including Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga, Smith is set to wed his partner of 10 years, Jesus R. Salguerio, an artist and painter.

"I've had an amazing career and life because Jesus taught me to dream and believe. We are a dynamic, creative duo that love to bring beauty to people's lives, as well as our own," Smith says in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. The couple founded "Common Threads," the national kids cooking program, together.

The wedding will take place this fall, in Washington, D.C., at The Liaison Affinia Hotel, home of Smith's restaurant, "Art and Soul."

See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own

Get a sneak peek of this week's issue – Justin Bieber's world, Jennifer Hudson's new body and Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Erin Andrews's relationship – which is on newsstands Friday

Jesus R. Salguerio and Art Smith

Kipling Swehla