The Project is Complete
Posted by Chris Perrin on Edible TV
Sunday, November 16th saw the end of The Chef Jeff Project, a ground breaking reality series which followed six troubled youths as they tried to remake their lives with food and the help of Chef Jeff Henderson, executive chef of Café Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace, and a former drug dealer and convicted felon.
I have mixed emotions about the series coming to an end. Over the course of the show, the six kids went from a very rough group, at least two of which I thought were not going to make it, to six young chefs who believe in themselves. On one hand, watching this take place has been incredibly uplifting. It is visual proof that, if given an opportunity, people can make a change for the better.
At the same time, I wanted the show to be over. I knew we would not learn how the six members of his crew are doing today until after the final episode ended and frankly, I was worried. The statistics are pretty clear about how easy it is for people to fall back into their self-destructive habits. I was so scared to see what happened to the crew after they left Chef Jeff’s watchful eye and headed back into the same situations which got them in trouble in the first place.
Still, having now heard Chef Jeff talk about where the six members of his crew are today, I am pleasantly surprised. Five of the six young people on the show are taking advantage of their scholarship or have plans to do so. Still, the one who has chosen not to take advantage of his opportunity hurts almost more than the good feelings I have for the five who may yet make it. That one person, who walked out of his final exam with a job offer, decided not to take the job and is not continuing his education. It is such a shame to see so much talent go to waste.
As the series comes to end, I hope to see all six of these youths again, standing in their chef’s whites, maybe opening a restaurant or winning an award. My thoughts and prayers are with them and everyone else Chef Jeff has helped. A second, third, or fourth chance is a horrible thing to waste, but it can be the opportunity of a lifetime.
