Food Network Star in the Making: Chef Jeff Project

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Reality, Cable, Editorial

I’ll admit it - I gave a little eye-roll when I saw the first promo. Chef in the kitchen mentors six young ‘uns, talking about a “life-changing experience.” Sounds like the usual reality show hype, right? But after the fourth promo, my appetite was whet. So I set the DVR. And I watched the Chef Jeff Project. It’s about to become the biggest thing on the entire Food Network - it’s a good idea to start paying attention now.

Jeff Henderson, one-time guest on Good Morning America and author of “Chef Jeff Cooks,” is the driving force behind the Project. He’s definitely got the kitchen cred - he’s served as executive chef to both the Café Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace, and now owns the up-and-coming Posh Urban Cuisine. But Chef Jeff isn’t your average culinary connoisseur, because he’s also got the street cred.

Jeff Henderson spent almost ten years behind bars for pushing cocaine in and around his hometown, South Central L.A. For his inspiring Project, Henderson installed six inner-city kids into his upscale catering business, hiring them on as employees.

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Read More | New York Times

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New ‘Iron Chef’ Joins Cooking Ranks

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Food & Home, Prime Time, Reality, Cable, Gossip

It all started with an article in the New York Post. First, they reported that Iron Chef and Food Network darling Mario Batali (of Molto Mario fame) was being kicked off the network, stripped of his Iron Chef rank and forced to watch as none of his shows were renewed for another season. Next, they reported that Batali would still be seen on the network from time to time, perhaps. Now, Batali has teamed with none other than Gwyneth Paltrow (how did that happen?) to host a new cooking show for American Public TV.

Batali’s departure left a hole in Food Network’s Iron Chef America, sparking an eight-episode search for the Next Iron Chef. Sunday night, under the watchful eye of the remaining Iron Chefs (Bobby Flay, Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto – my favorite) and the chairman, chefs John Besh and Michael Symon competed under the klieg lights of Kitchen Stadium. The mission? Make five course in 60 minutes. The secret ingredient? Swordfish.

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Read More | Broadcasting & Cable

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