I was born in East Chicago, Indiana in 1974. I have four brothers, two sisters and 2 foster sisters. I grew up in the rough projects of Calumet. I never knew my father nor have I ever seen a picture of him. I started cooking at the age of 4 as a result of my mother leaving us home alone to fend for ourselves. Over the next three years I would practice almost daily trying to figure out that burning question. Why did the pancakes always bubble up on one side and what to do next? My life was hard. I was molested and lost my virginity to my cousin at the age of six. I was forced to walk for several miles with my cousin and my brother carrying only a long white bucket, a can of corn and three fishing poles. So we could catch some crayfishes and then sell them so we could buy something to eat. I was smoking weed and drinking by the age of six. And that unfortunately was with my own mother when she was around long enough. I had to hustle, steal and even beg for food to feed my brother and sisters.

At the age of seven my life would change forever. I was playing one night with my siblings upstairs in the dark. We were playing the game of "It". My sister (Andrea) was "It". I felt her coming towards me, so I started running straight with my fist balled up and arm sticking straight out. I heard and felt a loud smack. I accidentally hit her in the eye causing her to receive a black eye. My mother was frantic when she found out. She told my sister not to go to school because people might misconstrue it as child abuse or neglect on her part. My sister disobeyed her and went anyway. She didn't come home from school ever again. She was taken by the welfare office and placed in a foster home. A few months later the rest of us would soon follow. In fact the day I was taken my mother had hid me out at my aunt's house the day after my brother (Andre) and sister (Chiquita) was taken. I unfortunately was away at church with a friend being baptized. When they finally came for me the next day a cop and a white woman showed up at the door. I was a frail little kid I had no shoes on as my aunt cradled me in her arms like a little rag doll. She cried and screamed, "Please don't take my little bunny", as the cop removed me from her arms. Tears filled my eyes as I was placed in the front seat of the caseworker's car. My first foster home was like a scene out of a horror movie. I was reunited with Andre and Chiquita but Andrea was in a different home. Our first Christmas all we received was a comb for me, a pick for Andre, a couple of match box racing cars, a one doll worth about a dollar for Chiquita and two walkie talkies with the string so short that we could have put them down and said "what" to each other. I wasn't allowed to go outside because I would always try to run away. On New Year's Eve I was beaten and sent to bed hungry because I threw up some food that she had cooked for dinner. We stayed there only 3 months before I called my caseworker to tell her about the injustice that we had to deal with. A few days later we were removed from her home. I was placed in a better home with Andre, while Chiquita and Andrea were placed together. I never went back home to my mother except for a few home visitations.

Over the years I saw less and less of my real family. I began to grow and mature into a promising young man. I taught myself how to draw and paint, I began to act, write plays and comedy skits in high school, I also taught myself how to swim. I didn't smoke or drink anymore since I was placed in a foster home. I began to really learn and develop my cooking skills. I would watch cooking shows, help out my foster mother in the kitchen as much as possible, I would read countless books and just practice as much as possible. I graduated from high school with honors. I was accepted to Purdue University in West Lafayette to study in the field of pre-law. I lasted two years before failing. I was ashamed and distraught that I've come so far in my life to fail like this. I enlisted in the military out of embarrassment. I learned more about cooking especially in great quantity. I moved to Florida to study and learn real estate with my foster brother. After six months I came home to start my own real estate business with my two best friends. I cooked only as a hobby or when I was trying to impress some girl. I was 21 struggling with my business it took almost a year before I begin to see money coming in. I was on top of the world with my partners until we lost focus. Our dreams just like our business began to crumble and once again, I failed.

I had my first child about to be born. I needed a steady paycheck to help support her. That's when an old friend suggested that I should become a chef since I like cooking so much and I was very good at it. I gave it a try and I've been doing it ever since. I went back to school for a degree in culinary arts. I've studied under a lot of good chefs until I was ready to strike out on my own and run my own kitchen. I worked as the chef/kitchen manager at an Italian restaurant called Pesto's there I really begin to grow and mature as a chef. Putting out weekend and daily specials that became some of the signature dishes of the restaurants.

I started writing an autobiography about my life, my pitfalls and my dreams. When I got to the end of the book. It felt empty even though I had overcome a lot in my life from drinking and smoking, being in a foster home, falsely arrested for starting a business, failing in college, becoming a great father more than the one that made me, surviving a mild heart attack, losing everything, to regaining it all again, and to finally marrying my beautiful wife. It still wasn't enough. I needed to fulfill my destiny that was predetermined when I was only four. So I wrote a cookbook, and now my dream of owning my own cooking show has come true. I thank you for allowing me to come into your home and share my passion with you I truly hope you enjoy my book and my website almost as much as I had making it. My life, my story and my dreams is not a sad story feel pity for me not for I have lived and turned adversary into a beacon of light that has shined throughout my life. My parent's decision to turn their back upon me has been a blessing for me. For I am truly one of God's special little creature. Everything I do is because of his blessing upon me. To my five angels daddy loves you always. Chantel you are truly love, may you always grow and strive to be the best you are. Christian always keep that fire and love burning in your heart. Christopher no obstacle is to big for you to overcome always remembers that with love and the right attitude it's only a matter of time. Kyerra your life was truly a blessing to me you can and will be what ever you desire out of life don't ever stop being you. Last but certainly not least Cierra you have given me more than I thought I was worthy of and you're still just a small fry. I look forward to watching you grow. To my mother Norma Gailes we may have different blood but you were more than a mother to me than anyone else could have been and thanks for taking up the challenge of raising Andre and me. Thanks Rodney and Skye always when I needed you even when I didn't want to listen. Andre I wish we didn't waste all those years on foolishness, the next thirty will be better I promise. Finally to my lovely wife Christine. I didn't think it would happen but your constant love and support has helped me through my darkest hour. I love you always thanks for all the joy you have given me and many more to come. Once again I thank you for allowing me to share my gift with you. I know that you'll enjoy my book as well as my web site because after all it is for you. I'm just a mere spokes person for the Lord. "If you can see it, than you can believe it". "If you just believe it there's nothing to it". "I believe I can fly".

God Bless and Thank You
Alphonso Xaiver Prince