Jeff Mauro Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Son, Sandwich King, The Kitchen, Awards, Weight Loss

Jeff Mauro is an American chef and television personality best known for winning Season 7 of Food Network Star and going on to host the show Sandwich King, followed by co‑hosting The Kitchen.

His engaging on‑screen presence and inventive sandwich creations earned him recognition among food television viewers.

He combines his culinary skills with playful, relatable storytelling that helped bring sandwiches into the culinary spotlight.

Profile

• Full name: Jeff Mauro
• Date of birth: July 24, 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• State of origin: Illinois
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef, TV host, author, entrepreneur
• Parents: Father: August (“Gus”) Mauro; mother: Pam Mauro
• Siblings: Older brother Frank Mauro; two younger sisters, including Emily Mauro; a fourth sibling is referred to in social media accounts
• Spouse: Sarah Mauro
• Children: Lorenzo Mauro (born circa 2009)
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: Italian‑American
• Net worth: $2.3 million

Early Life and education

Jeff Mauro, now at the age of 47, was born on July 24, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois, and spent his childhood in Oak Park, a suburb of the city to parents August (“Gus”) Mauro; and Pam Mauro.

He grew up in a busy Italian‑American household as one of four children, where making sandwiches became his calling card early on—a way to stand out amid the sibling rivalry and family gatherings.

After high school, he attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, graduating in 2000 with a degree in radio and television.

He then enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu culinary program, where he graduated valedictorian, honing his cooking techniques before returning to Chicago to work as a private chef and teach weekend cooking classes.

Personal Life

Jeff Mauro is married to Sarah Mauro, whom he dated from their college years through Bradley University; they wed in the Chicago area and still reside in or near his hometown neighborhood with their son Lorenzo and their two dogs, JoJo and Pinot G.

Sarah was previously a registered nurse before becoming deeply involved in Mauro’s ventures and appearances.

In February 2025, Jeff’s father, August “Gus” Mauro, passed away after battling cancer; Jeff has publicly spoken about the profound impact of losing his dad, who had supported his sandwich obsession since youth.

Career

Jeff Mauro began his culinary journey by working in restaurants and co-founding Prime Time Deli & Catering in Westmont, Illinois, with his cousin.

His breakthrough came in 2011, when he won Season 7 of Food Network Star, dedicating his narrative around sandwiches—a concept the judges initially questioned but ultimately embraced for its unique simplicity and humor.

That win led to his own series, Sandwich King, which earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Culinary Host in 2012 (the award went to Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction).

In January 2014, he joined The Kitchen as co‑host alongside Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Geoffrey Zakarian, and others—a talk show that received multiple Emmy nominations, including a 2017 nomination for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host shared by the cast.

In January 2021 he began hosting Kitchen Crash on Food Network, and in 2022 he served as co‑host of Season 24 of Worst Cooks in America, coaching ’90s celebrities in a culinary boot camp; he returned for Season 26, where his “recruit,” Jessica, won the season.

Notable events in his career include a serious kitchen injury during his first day filming Sandwich King, when a knife accident nearly severed part of his thumb, a piece of which was later successfully reattached and he still uses the story to emphasize kitchen safety and keeping perspective under pressure.

He’s also known for a highly publicized 50‑pound weight loss achieved through consistent CrossFit, Pilates, and monitored nutrition, which he attributes to improved confidence and health, not cosmetic motives.

Awards

• 2012: Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Culinary Host Sandwich King (Nominated)
• 2017 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host The Kitchen (Nominated)

Net worth

Jeff Mauro net worth is estimated at $2.3 million USD, attributed to earnings from Food Network shows (Sandwich King, The Kitchen, Kitchen Crash and Worst Cooks in America), his food brand Mauro Provisions, royalties from his cookbook Come On Over, and income from speaking engagements and endorsements.

Social Media

• Instagram: @JeffMauro
• X (Twitter): @JeffMauro
• TikTok: @jeffreymauro

Filmography

• Sandwich King (Host; premiered 2011)
• $24 in 24 (Host)
• The Kitchen (Co‑host; from January 2014 onward)
• Kitchen Crash (Host; began January 2021)
• Worst Cooks in America (Celebrity Season 24 and 26, as team coach)

Books

• Come On Over: 111 Fantastic Recipes for the Family That Cooks, Eats, and Laughs Together — released in April 2021; includes family‑friendly recipes and stories.