NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Chef Jeff Henderson, Food Network celebrity and New York Times Best Selling author, delivered a powerful, motivational speech Tuesday to students at An Achievable Dream Middle and High School about the importance of getting an education, making the right decisions, and following their dreams.
An Achievable Dream educates disadvantaged children socially, academically and morally to become productive citizens. The school’s nationally-recognized program helps students overcome the difficult personal challenges they face every day and prepares them to compete on a level playing field in the world of work.
“I know these kids. I know their thoughts, their fears, the negativity in their life—because I was in their spot years ago,” said Chef Jeff. “For me the lure of the street was too strong, I had no dreams and I felt I had no other options. As I stood in front of these kids today, I wanted to help them realize that they have great potential – they have options!”
Chef Jeff has a long history of mentoring disadvantaged youth. In his Food Network television show “The Chef Jeff Project” which premiered this fall, he mentors six young men and women who work as interns at his catering company, Posh Urban Cuisine, in Los Angeles. They assist Chef Jeff on catering assignments ranging from high-profile clients like the cast of General Hospital and the LA Dodgers, to personal meals with Jeff’s family.
His reality TV program is different from others: there are no losers and no one is sent home. Everyone who completes the internship wins a scholarship to a culinary institute.
Chef Jeff has become one of the most inspirational chefs in the country after finding his passion for cooking while incarcerated for ten years in federal prison for drug trafficking, an experience he credits for turning his life around. In 2001, Jeff made history in Las Vegas, when he became the first African-American named “Chef de Cuisine” at Caesar’s Palace. He eventually became an executive chef at several top restaurants including Café Bellagio, which he joined in 2004.
Walter S. Segaloff, founder of An Achievable Dream, said. “We encourage children to attain a vision and develop a personal, achievable dream that will light the way for success and joy in life as a productive citizen. Chef Jeff has walked in their shoes and knows their streets. He has a message the kids can relate to and respect.”
Chef Jeff’s remarkable story was captured in the New York Times Best Seller “COOKED” and is now being turned into a major motion picture by the team that made “The Pursuit of Happiness.” In October 2008, he launched his first cookbook, “CHEF JEFF COOKS: In the Kitchen with America’s Inspirational New Culinary Star.”
Rikki Dozier, An Achievable Dream student said, “Chef Jeff’s life is inspirational, motivational, and will help influence the decisions I make. He is a great example of a person turning their life around to live their dream.”
