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Chef Art Smith Is Catering a Wedding for 101 Gay Couples in Florida

Chef Smith
Chef Smith Photo: Bravo/Getty Images

Now that same-sex couples can legally marry in Florida, Art Smith, a Sunshine State native who married his own partner in D.C. in 2010, wants to make sure they do it with panache and good food. Timed to yesterday’s ban-lifting, the chef announced he’ll be throwing a free wedding at the James Royal Palm Hotel in Miami on February 21 for the first 101 couples who tweet at him using the hashtag #101GayWeddings. There’s apparently a mystery minister presiding, and couples get to toast their vows over Champagne and slices from a “big” custom cake by Duff Goldman. While this all seems to be a bit ready-made for some upcoming Food Network special, Smith adds that as a side benefit he hopes it makes a statement for other same-sex couples “who still don’t have the rights.” Maybe he’ll also be sending a takeaway box of that Southern cuisine to former client Jeb Bush as a friendly reminder.So far, it looks like the count is up to about 20 or so couples, some of them ready for a destination wedding:

@ChefArtSmith After 6 yrs together, @BryHauf & I aren’t waiting for TX. We’d already chosen FL. Now can’t wait to be 1 of #101GayWeddings!— David Cheatham (@StucknTx) January 7, 2015

[Herald]

Chef Art Smith Is Catering a Wedding for 101 Gay Couples in Florida