Chef Jeff Henderson delivers a powerful motivational speech to students about the importance of getting an education, making the right decisions, and following their dreams.

Chef Jeff Henderson flanked by Smithfield Foods, Inc. employees including: Jim Schloss, Christine Eppstein, Parul Stevens, Dennis Treacy and Joseph W. Luter, IV.

Just before the winter holidays, Chef Jeff Henderson, Food Network celebrity and best selling author, delivered a powerful motivational speech to An Achievable Dream Middle and High School students about the importance of getting an education, making the right decisions, and following their dreams. Chef Jeff has partnered with Smithfield Foods to assist the company in its Helping Hungry Homes™ tour, Learners to Leaders™ program, and providing educational opportunities to disadvantaged students as well as college scholarships to children and grandchildren of Smithfield employees.

"We are very excited about our partnership with Chef Jeff that focuses on educating children and feeding families," said Joseph W. Luter IV, Executive Vice President of Smithfield Foods. “Chef Jeff has a credibility that few can match. Drawing on the experiences of his own childhood and those of a young man growing up on some of the meanest streets in America, Chef Jeff connects with kids who are looking for a role model. Smithfield has been a strong local supporter of An Achievable Dream for many years. The results of their program are unparalleled in the education system, and we are proud to be making a difference in the lives of Dreamers," said Luter.

An Achievable Dream, Inc. is a public/private partnership between the business community and Newport News Public Schools. The partnership is a non-profit, year-round school that was borne out of the founder's belief that all children can succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. The school's nationally-recognized program, based on the notion that education can break the cycle of poverty, helps students overcome the difficult personal challenges they face and prepares them to compete on a level playing field in the working world.

"I know these kids. I know their thoughts, their fears, the negativity in their lives — because I was in their spot years ago," said Chef Jeff. "For me the lure of the street was too strong, I had no dreams and I felt I had no other options. As I stood in front of these kids today, I wanted to help them realize that they have great potential — they have options!"

Chef Jeff has a long history of mentoring disadvantaged youths. In his 2008 Food Network television show "The Chef Jeff Project," he mentored six young men and women who worked as interns at his catering company, Posh Urban Cuisine, in Los Angeles. They assisted Chef Jeff on catering assignments ranging from high-profile clients like the cast of General Hospital and the LA Dodgers, to personal meals with Jeff's family.

Rikki Dozier, An Achievable Dream student said, "Chef Jeff's life is inspirational, motivational, and will help influence the decisions I make. He is a great example of a person turning their life around to live their dream."

Chef Jeff has become one of the most inspirational chefs in the country after finding his passion for cooking while serving a 10-year federal prison sentence for drug trafficking, an experience he credits for turning his life around. In 2001, Jeff made history in Las Vegas, when he became the first African-American named "Chef de Cuisine" at Caesar's Palace. He eventually became an executive chef at several top restaurants including Cafe Bellagio, which he joined in 2004. Chef Jeff's remarkable story was captured in the New York Times Best Seller "COOKED" and is now being turned into a major motion picture by the team that made "The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Will Smith. In October 2008, he launched his first cookbook, "CHEF JEFF COOKS: In the Kitchen with America's Inspirational New Culinary Star."