Chef Jeff Henderson

HOUSTON (May 9, 2011) -- Chef Jeff Henderson ("Chef Jeff"), host of the Food Network Program "The Chef Project" and New York Times best-selling author of "Cooked, From the Streets to the Stove," is a special guest speaker at the Living Forward Alliance annual fundraising luncheon themed, "Co-creating Empowered Lives," on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Fox 26 anchor and reporter Damali Keith will emcee the event. The community is invited to attend.

Chef Jeff is an award-winning chef, best-selling author and popular public speaker.  He also is an ex-offender, having served nearly a decade in prison for drug related offenses. Chef Jeff has run kitchens as executive chef at the renowned Cafe Bellagio and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and has become one of the most inspirational chefs in the country.

Chef Jeff's remarkable story of finding his passion for cooking while incarcerated and turning his life around was captured in his book and his story is now being turned into a major motion picture by the team that made The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith and his production company Overbrook Entertainment, Escape Artists and Columbia Pictures. Chef Jeff has received widespread national attention on numerous TV and radio programs and print publications, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Montel Williams Show, CNBC, NPR's All Things Considered, People and USA Today.

Living Forward Alliance offers education and mentoring to reduce the recidivism rate for women serving time for drug related offenses.  In 2010, the programs' recidivism rate was 20 percent, compared to the U.S. national rate of 67.5 percent.

A recent Living Forward Alliance program participant shared, "I have prospered greatly from being a part of the group. I have much more peace about me. I am able to be alone with myself and can interact with others more effectively. I have a broadened understanding of myself, of others and of the world around me. I am so grateful for this experience.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing life changing program."

In addition to hearing Chef Jeff's compelling story and being enlightened regarding this population of citizens re-entering the community, the program will feature testimonials from women in the program, both current and past, and a silent auction with proceeds directly sponsoring participants' program expenses.

The 2011 Living Forward Alliance Outstanding Community Service Award will be presented to Judge Bill Burke, Harris County Civil Courthouse - 189th Civil Court, and Judge Vanessa Velasquez, Harris County Criminal Justice Center - 183rd Criminal Court (pictured below).  

Individual admittance and table sponsorships are available for purchase online.  For more information, call MWH Public Relations, 281.213.9554, or go online today to purchase your tickets or to become a sponsor.