Jeff Henderson is a chef, best selling author and television host.

As a child growing up in rough inner city neighborhoods, Henderson never imagined he would one day become the inspirational success story he is today. Raised in a struggling single parent household, Henderson didn’t go to school to learn–he went for the free lunches which quelled his everyday hunger. At the age of 19, success came exclusively from his $35,000 a week drug business. But when he turned 24, he was arrested, and spent the next ten years of his life in prison.

Despite the closed society, prison is where Henderson grew up, got educated, and found his life’s calling. He discovered that by embracing the educational opportunities offered–reading and literacy, vocational school, job training–he could change for the better. As a dishwasher, Henderson discovered a passion for cooking, and committed himself to becoming a chef.

With no formal culinary education and a criminal background, it was a struggle for him to find work. But, with persistence, dedication, and a can-do attitude, he eventually became the first African American executive chef at Caesar’s Palace and the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

His memoir, "Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove," was a New York Times best-seller, as well as cookbooks "Chef Jeff Cooks" and "America I AM Pass It Down Cookbook." He was also host of the Food Network hit, "The Chef Jeff Project" in 2008. Following his television debut, he hosted two talk shows, "Family Style with Chef Jeff" and "Flip My Food with Chef Jeff."

Henderson shares that change and success do not come easily. Achieving them requires tenacity, positive reinforcement, and teamwork, but with the right tools, anyone can reach their full potential.

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