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. Having run kitchens as Executive Chef at the renowned Café Bellagio and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, he has become one of the most inspirational African-American chefs in the country.

In 2001, Jeff made history in Las Vegas, when he became the first African-American named "Chef de Cuisine" at Caesars Palace. He eventually became an executive chef at several top restaurants including Café Bellagio, where he worked until 2006.

Jeff's remarkable story of finding his passion for cooking while incarcerated and turning his life around was captured in his New York Times Bestseller COOKED (William Morrow, February 2007). His story is now being turned into a major motion picture by the team that made The Pursuit of Happyness: Will Smith and his production company Overbrook Entertainment, Escape Artists and Columbia Pictures.

Jeff has received widespread national attention on numerous TV and radio programs and print publications, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Montel Williams Show, CNBC, NPR's All Things Considered, People and USA Today. As a passionate and powerful speaker, Jeff's appearances are in high demand across the country through his company The Henderson Group.

Jeff currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife and three children.