Chef Jim Smith is the Executive Chef and Owner of The Hummingbird Way Oyster Bar in Mobile, Alabama, where he champions locally sourced ingredients and sustainably harvested Gulf seafood. A proud advocate for Alabama’s coastal foodways, Smith previously served for eight years as Executive Chef for the State of Alabama, promoting local farmers, fishers, and the state’s culinary heritage.

In 2011, he earned the title “King of American Seafood” by winning the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and went on to serve as a national spokesperson for sustainable American seafood. He has served as Chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission and currently serves as a Chef Advocate for Wild American Shrimp.

The Hummingbird Way has been recognized as a James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader (2021–2023), and in 2025 Smith received a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef: South. He is also a member of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps and serves on the board of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Chef Smith and The Hummingbird Way have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and he is widely recognized for his appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef, where he competed in Seasons 14 and 16, finishing in the top ten and earning strong fan support.