I fell in love with Chef Henderson when I first saw him on "Dinner Impossible" with Chef Robert Irvine when he brought some at risk childen with a desire to learn about cooking to work with Chef Irvine. The segment was a powerful one and from it came "The Chef Jeff Project" based on that episode. He takes 6 "at risk" youth with an interest in food and gives them the tools necessary to fulfill their dreams of having a career in the culinary arts. The only REAL obstacles that they have are themselves (and maybe a few obstacles that life will occasionally throw at you).
It's really interesting to watch how he works with these young people and I was hooked from the very first episode! My early on favorites are Maria, Chante & the young hot head from South Central LA named Adam.
Adrienne Johnson Martin of "Happiness is a Warm TV"...hit the nail on the head with her observation of Adam:
1. You can take the gangbanger off the streets, but it's hard to take the street out of the gangbanger.
I mean, TV usually depicts a few bumps on the road to saving an at-risk kid. But watching Adam mean-mug Alonzo in the stock room, with a look that was truly murderous, was chilling. Adam had professed his desire to leave his past behind, his gratefulness to be in the kitchen. And yet when Chef Jeff gave him a green notebook, he switched with Shante to get a red one, the color of his gang, The Bloods. And part of his hostility toward Alonzo was that Alonzo was able to break away from the Bloods and doesn't seem to be looking back. He's not even aware how much he hates Alonzo's success. Deep.
Yo. I can't even add to this comment...she calls it just like it is.
Barbara Shema of Reality TV sends her congrats out to The Chef Jeff Project:
Congratulations to The Food Network and to Chef Jeff
"The Food Network has created a program that shows the better side of reality TV, and Chef Jeff Henderson is to be commended for his commitment to mentoring young people. Tune in for the upcoming episodes Sundays at 10PM…the show is well worth a look.
Congratulations to all."
I couldn't agree with her more and I will be glued to my seat EVERY Sunday night at 10pm.
To read Barbara's article in it's entirety:
http://realitytv.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_chef_jeff_project_premier
I wouldn't miss this one if I were you - it's reality TV done right!
For more info on Chef Jeff Henderson check out his site:
http://www.chefjeffcooked.com
“Hell is yourself and the only redemption is when a person puts himself aside to feel deeply for another person."
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