Jeff Mauro returns as the host of the 2017 Grand Chefs Gala!

Celebrity Chef Jeff Mauro is the host of Food Network's Emmy-nominated Sandwich King and the wildly successful and Emmy-nominated talk show The Kitchen. He is also the co-founder and executive chef of the newly launched BBQ retail line and fast casual restaurant concept, Pork & Mindy’s.

Born in in Chicago, IL, Jeff Mauro was a ham on a roll from the very beginning. As one of four kids, he competed for attention not by making his sisters cry, but by making his family laugh. Jeff’s flair for the stage was discovered at an early age as well as his love for food, particularly in the form of a sandwich. His very first job was at a sandwich shop, and he’s never looked back.

After graduating from Bradley University with an average GPA and a degree in communications he did what he was born to do, he opened a deli with his cousin. During the day he crafted sandwiches, salads, soups and sauces and at night he fed his comedic appetite by playing the role of ‘Tony’ in the long-running Chicago production of Tony and Tina's Wedding. In an attempt to combine his two passions, cooking and comedy, he moved to Los Angeles to start his own cooking show.

After a few years hustling in Hollywood, he upped the ante and enrolled in culinary school to refine his cooking skills. Jeff graduated Valedictorian, packed up his Honda and returned to Chicago where he was a culinary instructor, a successful private corporate chef, and local comedic performer. After 3 unsuccessful audition attempts, he finally landed himself on Season 7 of Food Network Star, which he combined his passions and ultimately ended up winning. He was awarded his Emmy-Nominated Sandwich King (which is now in its 5th season!), as well as 24$/24hrs and day time talk show The Kitchen (now in its 7th season!). He has appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Steve Harvey, The Talk, The Rachael Ray Show and many others. In 2015, Jeff was named one of the 14 Sexiest Chefs in America by People magazine.

Jeff still lives “in the neighborhood” and loves spending time with his wife and first love Sarah, playing above-average blues guitar and roughhousin’ with his seven-year-old son/co-star Lorenzo. His favorite color is pastrami and his favorite smell is meat smoke.