Finding Redemption: Chef Jeff Overcomes His Past and Helps Others Do the Same

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JEFF HENDERSON, BETTER KNOWN as Chef Jeff, knows about success. At 44, he's already served as one of the country's premier executive chefs, authored a bestselling book, and sold the rights to his life story to blockbuster actor Will Smith's production company, Overbrook Entertainment. Though he credits his business acumen for propelling his career, Henderson points to past mistakes--and the steps taken to atone for them--as playing a bigger role in his rise to the top of the culinary field.

Always an entrepreneur at heart, Henderson delivered newspapers and cut grass to make extra money as a child. But the allure of big money and respect on the streets of South Central Los Angeles and San Diego proved enticing enough for Henderson to shift his focus to selling cocaine. He says that by the age of 19, he was making up to $35,000 a week. "When I saw people who I knew …