Remembering Elle Simone Scott: Celebrated Chef and Advocate for Diversity in Food TV at 49
Chef Elle Simone Scott, Pioneering Voice in Culinary Diversity, Dies at 49
Chef Elle Simone Scott, recognized as the first Black woman to be a regular host on PBS’s America’s Test Kitchen, passed away on January 5 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 49 years old.
The announcement of her death was made by her friend and fellow chef Carla Hall on social media.
“Chef Elle Simone Scott was a friend, a force, and a trailblazer,” Hall wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “She showed up with excellence, generosity, and deep love for food and community.”
Hall noted Scott’s profound impact at America’s Test Kitchen, saying, “Elle helped open doors that had long been closed—becoming one of the first Black women audiences saw in the test kitchen, and doing so with grace, authority, and joy. She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media. Her voice mattered. Her work mattered. She mattered.”
Born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott on November 28, 1976, in Detroit, Michigan, Scott attended Eastern Michigan University before furthering her culinary education at the Culinary Institute of New York. Initially working as a social worker, she later interned with Food Network and made her mark as a regular host on America’s Test Kitchen in 2016. In that role, she served as a test cook and food stylist and contributed to the show’s online cooking school.
In 2013, Scott founded SheChef, a mentoring and networking organization aimed at supporting women of color in the culinary field. She was featured in NBC Boston’s The Hub Today and hosted 28 Days of Edna in 2019, a special series dedicated to American chef Edna Lewis.
Scott was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016 at the age of 40. Hall reflected on Scott’s brave journey, stating, “Elle faced ovarian cancer with courage and honesty, using her platform to educate, advocate, and uplift even while fighting for her life. That kind of strength leaves a mark.”
In her tribute, Hall concluded, “We honor you, Elle. Your legacy lives on in every kitchen you inspired and every cook who finally saw themselves reflected back. Rest well, my sister.”
