He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Stacy and their five children. With food, youre able to think. "Henderson spoke to Beliefnet about what it means to be a real man, why he was once so angry with Jesus, and what is the perfect bite of food. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPATESHAVE A UNIQUE ADVANTAGE FOR PLACEMENT, CONTINUING EDUCATION, INTERNSHIP, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WITH CHEF JEFF'S DIVERSE AND VAST NETWORK OF INDUSTRY CONTACTS AND EMPLOYERS. He has written two cookbooks and one self-help book, and has had three of his own cooking shows produced for Food Network. It's actually a myth about how to make money on Facebook Jeff Henderson is an American chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker. Henderson started blending business savvy and criminal tendencies from a young age, when he held a top paper route while also stealing from his family members' wallets and piggy banks. You write later, though, that while you were in jail, you became angry with Jesus. Aug 24, 2019. According to NGA, the independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2%of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. "If you can see it, you can be it." There was a Wall Street guy in prison who I became cool with, and he said, "Jeff you're a smart guy." Jeff's inspiring story has been featured on, Oprah's Life Class, Good Morning America, Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, CNN, The Steve Harvey Show. Disclamer: Jeff Henderson (chef) net worth displayed here are calculated based on a combination social factors. Jeff Henderson was interviewed by The HistoryMakers April 7, 2007. I had to become a chameleon. Our team has the best introduction to culinary hospitality and life skill education for young adults who have been directly impacted by the juvenile justice system, foster care, homelessness, and addiction. And its by the grace of God that Ive made it this far, to live to be 44 years old. CHEF JEFF INVITED SIX YOUNG ADULTS . Having missed out on having loving male figures in your life as a young man, how do you show love to your wife and children, to the young people that you mentor? Young people today just have a disregard for religion and spiritual faith because theyre disgruntled with the churches, the preachers and the lifestyles of some of these mega-churches.I believe that, in order to bring a young person who comes from adverse backgrounds, who has no confidence and hope in themselves or this country, that you have to work on changing their thought process first. Talk about the moment when food changed your life.It wasnt that I just started working kitchen that day and, you know, "aha," my life was changed. I've never used drugs and I've never been a violent person. You get as close to the source as possible and eliminate as many middlemen as you can to get the better price so you can increase your profit margin and ultimately be more successful than the competition. Jeff Henderson`s Keynote Speaker Fee. Henderson was accepted into the Culinary Training School for inmates at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. His weaknesses were that he had a violent background and got high on his own supply. In 2001, Henderson became the first African-American Chef de Cuisine at Caesars Palace. Building up your self-esteem and self-confidence to be able to go in there and face a potential employer or face the potential opportunity, you need that. A lot of people have access to a large quantity of drugs -- it still takes a unique businessman to move the product. Because of my charismatic personality, I was cool with everybody. Jeff Henderson's culinary career is a storied one: He was the first African-American named "Chef de Cuisine" at Caesars Palace, he was the first African-American executive chef at the Bellagio, he became a celebrity chef on his own television shows and he penned a best-selling autobiography. Our mission is to empower the next generation of young men and women to proudly take their rightful places in society with a trajectory toward success. . 2023 The HistoryMakers. He is also a former felon, having served nearly a decade in prison for cocaine. He went on to work at Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Bel-Air and L'Ermitage (currently Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills). Family Style is an E/I program which demonstrates how good choices in the kitchen can lead to a life changing experience for the whole family. The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, will welcome chef, author and Food Network television personality Jeff Henderson, known as Chef Jeff, as the keynote speaker for the 2021 NGA Show, scheduled for Sept. 19-21 at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. THEREALITY TELEVISION FORMAT WASSTRUCTURED SO THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WEREELIGIBLE FOR THE FOOD NETWORK SCHOLARSHIP TOCULINARY SCHOOL. After his release, he then cooks his way up the food chain to becoming the first African American Executive Chef at the renowned Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, NY Times Best-Selling Author, Food. Please only use it for a guidance and Jeff Henderson (chef)'s actual income may vary a lot from the dollar amount shown above. Do you have to have a personal narrative to tell, like yours?I truly believe to be an effective mentor, you have to have the experience and the understanding of the person youre attempting to mentor. Join our line up of GUESTS CHEFS. Chef Jeff Henderson is an award-winning chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker and an ex-offender, having served nearly a decade in prison for drugs. In 1997, Henderson left prison and his attempt to find employment proved fruitless. Ive seen and been around examples of love and fatherhood. And when I was found guilty and sent to prison, I became bitter and had disbelief in God.Over a period of time, I come to the realization that this was part of Gods plan to get me at the point Im in my life today, and it became a blessing in disguise. They all win a two-year scholarship at the Art Institute. Jeff's story has been featured on Oprah's Life Class, Good Morning America, Today, CNN, ABC News, The Steve Harvey Show, and in major publications such as USA Today, People Magazine, New York Times, Newsweek, and The Washington Post. I would talk to myself about the pros and cons of a situation that has an outcome.Like, if I go into a meeting to ask for a raise or for a new position, I would talk out both scenarios. Chef Jeff Henderson is an award-winning chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker. Youre able to be creative. JEFF HENDERSON, known as "Chef Jeff," is an award-winning chef and inspirational speaker, . The first chef who gave me a job out of prison, Robert Gadsby, was my yardstick of a successful black man. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. What happened to you in prison that changed your course? The complete Canadian Business Magazine ranking of Canada's Top 100 Richest People, plus how much their wealth has changed in the last year. I was always a hungry little boy growing up, because food wasn't . From the prison kitchen to a groundbreaking position as the first African American executive chef at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, "Chef Jeff" worked his way through the American culinary world. THE AIM OF THE COMPETITION WAS DESIGNED TO TEST EACH INDIVIDUAL TO THE LIMITS AND NOT ELIMINATE THE COMPETITION. You Can Be It, and Chef Jeff Cooks. It took a couple of years of positive people getting in my ear until one day I just accepted responsibility and gave up the victim card. And then I started changing. Is it similar to prayer?I guess it could be like a prayer, but its a prayer to yourself. This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. 416-978-8511. jeff.henderson@utoronto.ca. By 2001, Henderson was honored as Chef of the Year by the American Food and Wine Tasting Federation, and soon established The Westside Group, a non-profit organization to help troubled kids. Chef Jeff Henderson is an award-winning chef, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, television personality, and highly sought-after speaker on personal and professional development. Get notification with the latest net worth updates for free. After he was released in 1996, he worked his way up from a dishwasher to a cook under the mentorship of Chef Robert Gadsby in Los Angeles. On the menu is health and sanitation, food safety and professional demeanor while in the kitchen as well with hitting hard on following directions from authority. But, you have to tilt that to your advantage. I knew if I wanted to corner the cocaine market in San Diego, I had to have a product that was superior to the competition, from the way I cooked it to the way I packaged it. Name: Jeff Henderson Company: The Henderson Group Inc., Chef Jeff Catering, publishing, multimedia and consulting Age: 47 Location: Las Vegas Founded: 2007 Employees: 1 2012 Projected Revenue: $500,000 Website: chefjefflive.com small business small-business-success-stories jeff henderson Entrepreneur Spotlight Go To Homepage Before You Go [Al] Pacino playing Scarface came from poverty, from nothing, but he was a visionary. What did dealing crack teach you about the importance of creating, pricing, branding and marketing a quality product? Having run kitchens as Executive Chef at Caf Bellagio and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, he became an inspiration to others. His first television show "The Chef Jeff Project" aired on The Food Network in fall 2008, to widespread acclaim. He earned as much as $35,000 a week dealing cocaine in San Diego. We believe food changes lives and the spiritof hospitality can be used to speak a language of healing and restorationfor. THE SHOW FEATUREDCHEFJEFF HENDERSON, A FORMERLYINCARCERATEDDRUG DEALER,WHO TRANSFORMED HIS LIFE ANDEMERGED AS A SUCCESSFUL CHEF AND OWNER OF ACATERINGBUSINESS, POSH URBAN CUISINE. They dont know the outcome. CHEF JEFF INVITEDSIX YOUNG ADULTS WITH SIMILAR TEMPESTUOUSBACKGROUNDS TO WORK AS HIS CREW FOR POSH URBAN CUISINE FOR THE DURATION OF ONE MONTH. Youre able to provide for yourself and your family.For me, and for a lot of men and women whove been incarcerated, food has been a vehicle to a successful transition from prison to society because youre able to work in an industry thats open to former incarcerated individuals and, you know, you get to eat while youre there. THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE. Henderson was hired as a dishwasher, and then was promoted to line cook. Chef Jeff is on social media. What, in your opinion, is the perfect bite of food?I would have to say my grandfathers bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. As with food presentation, the visual had to shine. THE ORIGINALCHEF JEFF PROJECT WASAFOOD NETWORKREALITY TELEVISIONPROGRAM THAT AIRED IN THE FALL OF 2008. In my former life, I defined manhood by having the most cars, the most beautiful women, money which brought status and credibility in my circle and in the world that I was living in.Today, I define a man as a person, a man of purpose, a man of structure, a man of conviction, someone who values his family, his children, his community, and is not valued by what he has materialistically. Click Here for more info. Jeff Henderson (musician), member of Upper Hutt Posse. N/A. The estimated Net Worth of Jeffrey William Henderson is at least $52.9 Million dollars as of 12 March 2022. Get your favorite recipes from the show to make with your family at home! According to Payscale, a CNN employee earns an average salary of $69,000 per year. $10,001 - $20,000. 144 College Street. Molecular basis of drug targets and diseases. I would run scenarios before I went in for an interview, before I had a meeting, before there was a confrontation. Then, in 1988, when Henderson was twenty four years old, the police arrested one of his couriers with $40,000 in cash and a large amount of cocaine. What does a feature on OWN, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker to Fortune 500 Companies, Food Network Personality, subject of a Sony/Columbia major motion film, an Award-Winning . I had to leverage my skills to convince employers, whether it was instead of a 90-day probation, give me a 30-day probation, or showing them I was first to work every day, last to leave, I didnt take a lunch break, and went above and beyond and moved heaven and earth to learn everything that I could to have personal growth in that company.Maybe its 75 percent confidence in yourself, and a potential employer may only have 25. I would have had to heard it from someone who understands what Ive gone through with my life to be able to guide me out. (February 2020) Jeff Henderson is an American chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. THE ORIGINAL CHEF JEFF PROJECT WAS A FOOD NETWORK REALITY TELEVISION PROGRAM THAT AIRED IN THE FALL OF 2008. And as a senior political reporter and talented media personality, she is sure to have accumulated a hefty amount. I was the guy everyone wanted to do business with. Henderson transformed the local drug industry by bringing in elements of entrepreneurship. Jeff Henderson describes his maternal grandparents, Jeff Henderson describes his parents' marriage, Jeff Henderson describes his maternal grandfather, Jeff Henderson describes his father's family background, Jeff Henderson describes his family's move to Los Angeles, California, Jeff Henderson describes his parents' personalities and his likeness to them, Jeff Henderson describes his mother's occupation, Jeff Henderson remembers Toluca Lake Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, Jeff Henderson remembers moving to San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson recalls Kit Carson Elementary School in San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson remembers growing up in the projects of San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson recalls struggling as a student at Montgomery Junior High School in San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson remembers moving to his father's home in San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson remembers his expulsion from the Los Angeles Unified School District, Jeff Henderson remembers Alexander Hamilton Junior High School in Long Beach, California, Jeff Henderson recalls his suspension from Alexander Hamilton Junior High School, Jeff Henderson recalls his decision to return to San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson remembers his relationship with Thess Good, Jeff Henderson remembers selling marijuana at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Diego, California, Jeff Henderson remembers selling crack cocaine, Jeff Henderson talks about developing his business skills as a drug dealer, Jeff Henderson reflects upon his career as a drug dealer, Jeff Henderson recalls his techniques for selling crack cocaine, Jeff Henderson remembers learning to cook crack cocaine, Jeff Henderson remembers his family's response to his drug dealing, Jeff Henderson explains how he was caught and arrested for drug dealing, Jeff Henderson remembers his arrival at the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution, Jeff Henderson describes the culture of the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution, Jeff Henderson describes what he learned from the Nation of Islam, Jeff Henderson describes what he learned from the white inmates, Jeff Henderson reflects upon his experiences in prison, pt. They dont know the impact it has on community, on victims. I couldn't be a homeboy walking on up in the Bellagio. Jeff Henderson (chef) Born: South Los Angeles, California, United States, Jeff Henderson (chef) Cook_style: Traditional Southern Cuisine, Jeff Henderson (chef) Spouse: Stacy Womack Henderson. I was hustling my whole life. Chevrolet shapes its marketing angle toward a demographic, whether it's advertising on BET, CNN or ABC. You just had a bad product.". [1], Henderson currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife Stacy and five children.[2]. As our industry comes together for the 2021 NGA Show to celebrate the Supermarket Superheroes of the food industry, Chef Jeffs powerful story will provide strong inspiration and maybe a different perspective to help us be better in our everyday lives.. Excited to get back in training mode with our students. And I had to begin to view the world different and think different in order to allow anything positive to come in my life to impact change.After the first seed was planted, I worked in the kitchen. In 2007, he published his memoir, "Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove, from Cocaine to Foie Gras." 2023 by The Chef Jeff PROJECT a non-profit 501C3. Chef Jeff Henderson is an award-winning chef, New York Times bestselling author, entrepeneur, television personality, and highly sought-after speaker on personal and professional development. I was in federal prison with Wall Street business moguls, hedge fund guys. These Are The 15 Hottest Wives And Girlfriends Of Hollywood! What happened to Big T in Swamp People? The paperwork led them directly to Henderson, who received a sentence of ten years and seven months in prison. Caught Smoking: These Are The 60 Most Shocking Celebrity Smokers, These 50 Celebrity Tattoos Went Horribly Wrong, Top 60 Celebrities Without Makeup (Before & After), 40 Whopping Homes & Cars Of Celebrities That Will Amaze You, Top 55 of Worlds Richest Actors Current Net Worth, Top 60 Craziest Tattoos Of Celebrities in 2023, Top 15 Highest-Paid Soccer Players Of All-Time Revealed (2023). He is also a former felon, having served nearly a decade in prison for cocaine. Produced and managed by Clarion Events as part of the Food & Beverage Group in partnership with NGA, the NGA Show connects supermarket retailers and wholesalers, food manufacturers and service providers from around the world to share innovative solutions and best practices that support and strengthen the independent supermarket channel. But I use my story to convince at-risk people that they have the gift, traits, ability to create their own business. I dont have the credentials to teach in a culinary school because I dont have a diploma in culinary arts. Before cooking things like filet Mignon and oysters Rockefeller, Jeff was trafficking drugs. Food Network's Chef Jeff Henderson talks to Beliefnet about how food helped him find his life's purpose. Please only use it for a guidance and Jeff Henderson (athlete)'s actual income may vary a lot from the dollar amount shown above. He eventually became an executive chef at several top restaurants including Caf Bellagio, where he worked until 2006. I also needed to develop relationships. About the Show. HuffPost Small Business asked Henderson whether the line between drug dealer and entrepreneur really is as thin as stories told by Jay-Z and HBO's "The Wire" can make it seem. The athlete is currently single, his starsign is Pisces and he is now 34 years of age. Deliver business priorities quickly and efficiently, and 2. Ive eaten it before for dinner. Required fields are marked *. But the 52-year-old's path to becoming a nationally renowned culinary sensation was anything . You have great leadership potential, understand logistics and manage a diverse workforce. You outsmart, out-strategize the competition.". Family Style with Chef Jeff features award-winning chef and motivational speaker, Jeff Henderson, as he teaches viewers how making the right choices in the kitchen can lead to life-changing experiences for the entire family. It began with education, because through education I was able to come into the thought process of accepting responsibility for the things Id done wrong. Having run kitchens as. Led a transformation agenda across people, process, and technology to: 1. And I truly believe the foundation of change and success, whether its fatherhood, personal, or professional success, is that you have to find your purpose before you can have a dream. Jul 2014 - Oct 20195 years 4 months. How do you use your experiences to try to turn other at-risk kids into starting businesses rather than getting into drug dealing or other crimes? Whats more importantbelieving in yourself, or having someone believe in you? Jeff Henderson may refer to: Jeff Henderson (chef), American chef. E-mail us at, COOKING UP HOPE | Gearing up for training this week. The Chef Jeff Project was founded in 2020 with a mission to change the lives of young disadvantaged, and system-impacted men and women in the Las Vegas community. Within the year, Henderson was promoted to head chef. Russell Westbrook's Wife Nina Earl Wiki, Child Jhonni Blaze age, height, boyfriend, real name, Wi Where is Cristina Saralegui now? Our programdelivers the key elements necessary to equip the industry leaders of tomorrow! Colleagues. Convicted of selling drugs in San Diego at age . THE SHOW FEATURED CHEF JEFF HENDERSON, A FORMERLY INCARCERATED DRUG DEALER, WHO TRANSFORMED HIS LIFE AND EMERGED AS A SUCCESSFUL CHEF AND OWNER OF A CATERING BUSINESS, POSH URBAN CUISINE. Special Interest 2013. Award-Winning Chef & Best-Selling Author Fee Range: $10,000 - $20,000 Chef played off the the WORD OF THE DAY organization during his taco training. In turn, after a 5-year run selling crack, a 1988 arrest and a 9-year stint in prison, his drug dealing experience prepared him to become a successful entrepreneur. You just have to change your path and the type of people you deal with, and you could be successful, too. I tell kids I'm still a homeboy, I'm still a hustler -- I just changed the products and the terminology. Jeff Henderson resides in Las Vegas with his wife and three children. 1. I would take potential clients to lunch or dinner, buy the gifts, take them shopping. He didn't want to be pushing drugs for one dealer, he wanted connections, so he went all the way to the top and set up relationships and distribution routes and worked with powerful people. Chef Jeff Henderson has a big story to tell. "You have a product, you have a marketing plan, you have a vision, you build relationships. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Food Network star to appear at independent grocery conference in September, 8 tracks will focus on critical issues for indies, Recipients to be honored at September show, Kaunes Neighborhood Market owner and CEO honored in virtual ceremony, Emboldened trade group launches rebranding campaign and messaging to more aggressively support independent retailers. If you always have a better product and better price, word will spread. Then, in 1988, when Henderson was twenty four years old, the police arrested one of his couriers with $40,000 in cash and a large amount of cocaine. He is also a former felon, having served nearly a decade in prison for drugs. Your generous and tax-deductible contributions allow usto continue our mission to make an impact and change lives. Jeff Henderson is an American chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker. To be trying to mentor an at-risk inner-city youngster whos been involved in gangs and drugs and crime and comes from generational poverty, the mentor has to have a deep understanding of that whole subculture in order to pull them in the direction they need to go in and to convince them that, you know, they have potential to change.Its like, if somebody was talking to me back in the day from the suburbs who was highly educated, I couldnt relate. With my paper route and selling candy in the city, I learned business traits early on: communicating with people, marketing, branding, PR, sales, the whole nine yards.