B. Smith (Barbara Elaine Smith) — American restaurateur, model, author

Career and public profile

B. Smith began her career in modeling and used that platform to move into hospitality and publishing. She opened restaurants that emphasized seasonal, approachable American cuisine presented with stylish table settings and décor. In addition to running dining establishments, she wrote books on cooking and entertaining, launched a line of home goods and appeared regularly on television and in magazines where she demonstrated recipes and offered design tips.

Notable media appearances

Smith made a number of memorable television appearances that introduced her to a broader audience. She twice guested on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, once modeling a wedding dress and once giving a kitchen tour and making raspberry custard alongside Fred Rogers and her restaurant's chef. She also appeared as herself on popular shows, including a guest spot on the sitcom "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." These appearances highlighted both her culinary skill and her affable, teachable presence on camera.

Style, influence and business

Smith's public persona combined culinary competence with an eye for lifestyle presentation. Her restaurants were known for hospitality and a polished but homey aesthetic; her books and products translated those sensibilities for readers and shoppers. As an African American woman in the hospitality and lifestyle industries, she was often regarded as a trailblazer who brought greater visibility to people of color in sectors historically dominated by others.

Personal life and later years

Later in life, Smith faced serious health challenges. In 2014 she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, a development she and her family discussed publicly to raise awareness about the condition and its impact on patients and caregivers. She died from complications of the disease on February 22, 2020, at the age of 70. Her passing prompted renewed attention to both her professional achievements and her advocacy around memory care.

Legacy and recognition

B. Smith is remembered as a multifaceted entrepreneur who bridged fashion, food and home design. Her restaurants, books and television work left a lasting impression on how many Americans think about entertaining and table presentation. Beyond style and hospitality, her openness about her illness helped draw attention to Alzheimer's and the need for research, support and compassionate caregiving.

• Early life: born in Everson, Pennsylvania; began in modeling.
• Business: restaurateur, author, lifestyle product lines.
• Media: appearances on children's and prime-time television.
• Health and advocacy: public discussion of early-onset Alzheimer's.