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The Chef Jeff Project

Jeff Henderson grew up on the tough streets of South Central L.A. and San Diego. At 19 he was running a $35,000-a-week cocaine operation. At 24, Jeff was arrested and sent to prison, where he spent the next ten years. While incarcerated, Jeff discovered a passion for cooking and the drive to turn his life around. Jeff became Executive Chef at Café Bellagio in Las Vegas, wrote a bestselling book, and now he is focusing on giving back. In The Chef Jeff Project, he takes six at-risk young adults and commits to turning their lives around by putting them to work in his catering company, Posh Urban Cuisine. He arms them with the knowledge, the skills and, ultimately, the opportunity for a new life with a culinary career.

The Latest

The Chef Jeff Project Video Gallery

About The Show

Jeff Henderson grew up on the tough streets of South Central L.A. and San Diego. At 19 he was running a $35,000-a-week cocaine operation. At 24, Jeff was arrested and sent to prison, where he spent the next ten years. While incarcerated, Jeff discovered a passion for cooking and the drive to turn his life around. Jeff became Executive Chef at Café Bellagio in Las Vegas, wrote a bestselling book, and now he is focusing on giving back. In The Chef Jeff Project, he takes six at-risk young adults and commits to turning their lives around by putting them to work in his catering company, Posh Urban Cuisine. He arms them with the knowledge, the skills and, ultimately, the opportunity for a new life with a culinary career.

Episodes

S1 | E1

Starting Over

The Chef Jeff project is a culinary and life skills boot camp designed to transform lives through food. For the crew members who can make it through, the reward of a two year culinary scholarship awaits to complete their journey to chef.
S1 | E2

Under Pressure

Jeff's student crew gets two assignments at the Depot restaurant and a $750 a plate Table of Ten benefit, where the top chefs in the city are paired with the top designers to create amazing dishes complimented by lavish table décor.
S1 | E3

A Man Down

Chef Jeff's crew takes on the Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation event and then fashion party launch where Jeff slices open his hand and tells the team they are on their own.
S1 | E4

Fighting For a Cause

Jeff's crew visits the Santa Monica Farmers Market to learn about fresh produce to prepare for a L.A. Dodgers ThinkCure organization lunch.

S1 | E5

Sin City Tears

Chef Jeff and the crew head to Las Vegas for their next catering assignment, a cast party for Cirque Du Soleil's KA show at the MGM Grand and a surprise 70th birthday party for Jeff's mom.

S1 | E6

Flying Solo

The crew gets ready to return back to their lives and prepare for their departure from the Chef Jeff Project. The importance of family is carried into the final episode when the crew gets a catering assignment for some VIPs and is surprised to find out that it's their family and mentors they've been cooking for!