Italian-American chef and Chicago-based Food Network television host Jeff Mauro is known for his role on The Kitchen. He won Season 7 of Food Network Star, and he’s spent his career marrying food and entertainment. Read on to learn more about his career and background.

History and Background

Jeff was born and raised in Chicago in a big Italian-American family and was a ham on a roll from the beginning. He graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Jeff and his cousin opened a catering company, Prime Time Deli & Catering, in Westmont, Illinois, which he sold before moving back to Chicago. Jeff also has experience in acting and comedy: He performed the role of Tony in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles to pursue performing arts and cooking, working as a professional comedian. He then moved back to Chicago to pursue cooking and acting and enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, where he graduated as valedictorian. Jeff still lives in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, their son, Lorenzo, and their dogs.

Jeff on Food Network Star

Jeff auditioned three times before making it onto Food Network Star, a series that ran from 2005 to 2018. Viewers watched talented chefs compete to win their own Food Network show. Once Jeff was cast, he beat 14 other contestants to win Season 7 of Food Network Star in 2011. “I don’t even know whether to cry or laugh or faint or fall down,” he said after winning. “I’m in awe. I’ve never experienced this intensity before in anything, other than the birth of my son, which I pretty much reacted the same way to.”

Jeff’s Food Network Shows

Jeff has been a co-host of The Kitchen, Food Network's cooking-themed talk show, since 2014. “Being on The Kitchen is such a joy and I love filming with my co-hosts!” he told Us Weekly. “Since the start of the show, all of our personalities and cooking styles have melded together and I think that all comes through to the viewers.” Jeff previously hosted the Emmy-nominated show Sandwich King, which aired for five seasons, from 2011 to 2014. "You can make any meal into a sandwich, and any sandwich into a meal," Jeff often says. He has previously appeared as a co-host of Worst Cooks in America and has made guest appearances on Chopped and BBQ Brawl.

Fun Facts About Jeff

• Birthday: July 24, 1978
• Zodiac sign: Leo
• Current residence: Chicago

Jeff’s Culinary Journey

Growing up, Jeff had “a natural gift for entertaining, keeping his family laughing while exploring his love for food,” according to CBS News. After graduating from culinary school, he worked as a private chef for the insurance company Guaranteed Rate, where he served 300 people a day, he told an online publication called The Hunger. His ultimate career goal was to make it on the Food Network.

Italian Influence on Jeff’s Cooking

Jeff, whose favorite color is pastrami, has embraced his Italian-American roots in his cooking. “Sweet and hot is constantly running through my veins,” he told The Hunger. “We lived in Elmwood Park (in Chicago growing up), and when the wind was blowing right, you could smell the charcoal and sausage.” Many of the recipes in his cookbook are influenced by his Italian-American heritage and his family’s love of cooking.

Jeff’s Cookbook and Podcast

In 2021, Jeff published a cookbook titled Come On Over: 111 Fantastic Recipes for the Family That Cooks, Eats, and Laughs Together. The title comes from the phrase he often heard his mother say to family members over the phone — ”come on over!” — which he knew would be followed by good company and good food, according to the book's description. Jeff also has a podcast by the same name, which is available to stream and to watch on YouTube.

Mauro Provisions

In 2020, Jeff became the founder and CEO of Mauro Provisions, "a premium retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer line of the world’s greatest craft giardiniera (jar-din-air-ah), sauces, seasonings and sandwich kits," Jeff's website reads. With Mauro Provisions, Jeff “brings his culinary expertise to Chicago staples." It has also partnered with organizations like United Airlines, featuring their artisanal offerings on the airline’s Bistro on Board menu, Chicago Star Media reported.

Jeff’s Band

In addition to his Food Network career, Jeff has found a creative outlet as lead guitarist for the band The Jewel Bags. The band describes themselves as the “hottest dad band playing righteous originals and all the songs you forgot you loved.”

Keep Up With Jeff

Catch Jeff on Food Network's The Kitchen. Follow him on Instagram @jeffmauro.