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The author of the New York Times bestselling Cooked, award-winning chef, and star of his own Food Network docu-reality show dishes up his first cookbook, Chef Jeff Cooks.
Jeff Henderson's story is familiar: Raised in South Central Los Angeles, he became a successful drug dealer. He made a lot of money. He got caught.
But what happened next wasn't the same old story: Jeff changed. He found a passion in prison kitchens and taught himself to cook. Once released, he talked his way into a series of professional kitchens -- almost always having to prove himself by starting as a dishwasher or line cook. His talent was obvious; his work ethic even more so. After rising to the top of the kitchen in some of Los Angeles's best restaurants, he became the first African American Chef de Cuisine in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace and then executive chef at Café Bellagio in the prestigious Bellagio Resort.
Now Jeff shows theworld his food and it is delicious. What inspires him? Foods he ate as a child -- Half-pound "Back-in-the-Day" Chili Cheeseburger, Turkey Smoked Collard Greens, Friendly Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Cakelike Cornbread with Maple Butter, and Chocolate S'more Bread Pudding -- are here as well as the more elegant, celebratory cuisine he developed as a chef -- Sweet Potato Soup, Barbecued Shrimp Scampi, and slow-cookedMolasses Braised Beef Short Ribs. Cooks will also find lots of great recipes for the grill and plenty of party foods, satisfying salads, quick breads, sides, soups, sweet endings, and more.
Featuring over 150 recipes, stunning full-color photographs, tips and techniques, as well as personal outtakes and anecdotes from Chef Jeff's life on the streets, the prison kitchen, and hiswork as a chef andmotivational speaker, this is much more than a cookbook -- it is a larger-than-life American success story and the recipe for how Chef Jeff fulfilled his dream.
Henderson's first book, Cooked, was a memoir about his early days as a drug dealer in Los Angeles; his years in prison, where he learned to cook; and, eventually, his successful career as a top restaurant chef, most recently at CafA© Bellagio in Las Vegas. He now runs a catering business and works with "at-risk" youth, and his new show, The Chef Jeff Project, debuts on the Food Network this fall. The recipes in his first cookbook are a mix of upscale restaurant dishes and the food he grew up with and now likes to cook for his family. There are also stories about his restaurant days and cooking adventures and "testimonials" from his mentors and other important figures in his new life. Recommended for most collections.
Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2011
I AM SO REGRETFUL THAT I ATTEMPTED TO USE BARNES AND NOBLE TO PURCHASE AN EBOOK, IT TOOK FOREVER TO EVEN GET ANY HELP AND NOW THE DOWNLOAD DOES NOT WORK!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! SHARON DAY
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Overview
The author of the New York Times bestselling Cooked, award-winning chef, and star of his own Food Network docu-reality show dishes up his first cookbook, Chef Jeff Cooks.
Jeff Henderson's story is familiar: Raised in South Central Los Angeles, he became a successful drug dealer. He made a lot of money. He got caught.
But what happened next wasn't the same old story: Jeff changed. He found a passion in prison kitchens and taught himself to cook. Once released, he talked his way into a series of professional kitchens -- almost always having to prove himself by starting as a dishwasher ...