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Leading chef to keynote Goodwill awards breakfast

By Matt Nagle

At one time, Jeff Henderson was a top-selling drug dealer in San Diego. He was eventually arrested and served nine years in prison. Today, he is executive chef at the renowned Bellagio Hotel and Casino and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and one of the most influential chefs in the country. His memoir, “Cooked,” just hit the New York Times Bestsellers list. On May 6 Henderson will be in Tacoma to talk about his journey as keynote speaker at Tacoma Goodwill’s annual awards breakfast.

Every year Goodwill takes time to celebrate the achievements of its most successful clients, those who have worked hard and persisted to overcome barriers to employment, with a celebratory breakfast at Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. The organization’s business partners that hire workers through Goodwill programs are recognized as well.

Individual award winners this year are:

•    Graduate of the Year – Sharon Bryant. Bryant suffered with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and was raising five foster children when her husband of 22 years left the family. With no income or skills for work, Tacoma Goodwill’s Office Essentials program became a lifeline, giving her the confidence and skills to find administrative work.

•    Achiever of the Year – Stephanie Carlson. Born with a developmental disability, Carlson is the essence of enthusiasm and determination. She has been working at Goodwill’s South Hill store for two years in progressively more responsible positions.

•    Michener Inspirational Award – Cherie Cruz. Cruz works confidently helping homeless families. Her success came after serving time and vowing to make a new start. Through a Goodwill scholarship, she enrolled in Office Essentials, which gave her new skills that she uses to assist homeless families with transitional housing and other basic needs at The Caring Place.

Business awardees:

•    Business Partner of the Year – Shasta. For the past decade, thousands of cases of Shasta products have been repackaged at Tacoma Goodwill. Between 40 and 60 jobs are created as a result, providing a life-changing opportunity for someone trying to enter the workforce.

•    Small Employer of the Year – Harris Rebar. Since 2006, Harris Rebar has hired five participants from Goodwill’s STEPS and YouthBuild programs. The jobs have given young adults, some with criminal backgrounds, new lives through work.

•    Large Employer of the Year – Army & Air Force Exchange Service. In recent years, AAFES has hired more than 20 Goodwill program participants and graduates. Partnering with Goodwill since 1988, AAFES has helped meet the needs of employees with disabilities or other barriers to work.

‘FROM COCAINE TO FOIE GRAS’

Chef Henderson’s story exemplifies Goodwill’s founding belief in second chances. As a young man, Henderson was involved in drug trafficking in Southern California. He was eventually arrested and served nine years in prison, where he discovered his calling to be a chef. Once he was released, through his own determination he worked his way up in the culinary ranks all the way to Las Vegas, where he won the prized position as executive chef at Bellagio Hotel and Casino and Caesar’s Palace.

Henderson is also president and CEO of Urban Educational Consulting (UEC). Through guidance in employment training, motivation and managing at-risk lifestyles, UEC provides counseling to diverse audiences ranging from public school groups to corporations.

His memoir, “Cooked,” is in development for the silver screen with Will Smith being considered to play Henderson.

After addressing the audience at Goodwill’s awards breakfast, Henderson will spend time afterward talking with a group of at-risk young people who have been invited to the event.

Tickets to the breakfast are still available by e-mailing rsvp@tacomagoodwill.org or calling Leigh Ann Myhre at (253) 284-3358. Money raised at the breakfast will go directly to Tacoma Goodwill’s scholarship fund to get job training to those who otherwise may not get the chance.

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