Chef Jeff Henderson, television celebrity chef and author, spoke to a group of inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Tuesday afternoon, Nov 5, 2013 about the reality of their actions and the hope for their future after prison. Chef Jeff visited HCF after speaking as part of the Dillon Lecture series at the Hutchinson Community College earlier in the day.

The inmates were told by Henderson that he had requested to visit the facility and talk with inmates about his life before, during, and after prison. He wants to take his success after prison and pay it forward to inmates, so they can see that with hard work, determination and a plan, they too have a chance of being successful after prison.

Henderson stated that during his 10 years in federal prison was first time in his life that he read a book, had someone tell him he was smart and had a staff member call him son. It was then he knew he had something to give back and he began to reinvent himself for a positive outcome.

Henderson was able to reach the inmates by his presence as an ex-inmate and his life story to make his points that they will need to look at themselves and make changes before they get out of prison. He told them that the skills and talents they used to get into prison can be used for the positive when they are out of prison.

After talking to the inmates, Henderson visited the HCF kitchen. While there he tasted one of the fresh baked dinner rolls that had been prepared by an inmate baker. He remarked that he would not hesitate to serve that roll in his restaurant in the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Henderson told them that the only difference would be the rosemary scented butter brushed on the top with a sprinkle of cracked sea salt. He emphasized that the ingredients are the same, the skill and care of the baker is obvious, but the presentation would be different. It is the same with them. As an ex-inmate they will have to make a different presentation. Before leaving, Henderson donated signed copies of two of his books, “Cooked”, and his most recent, “If You Can See It, You Can Be It” to the facility library.