At a Glance
- Chef Elle Simone Scott died at age 49 after battling ovarian cancer
- She became the first Black woman on PBS’s America’s Test Kitchen in 2016
- Founded SheChef to support marginalized voices in culinary industry
- Why it matters: Scott transformed food media representation while creating pathways for future generations of diverse chefs
Elle Simone Scott, the beloved chef who revolutionized food media representation, has died at 49 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her groundbreaking role as the first Black woman on America’s Test Kitchen made her a trailblazer in the culinary world.
Breaking Barriers in Food Media
Scott joined America’s’s Test Kitchen in 2016, shattering a significant barrier as the show’s first Black woman on-air personality. Carla Hall, fellow chef and close friend, celebrated Scott’s impact in an Instagram tribute.
Carla Hall wrote:
> “At America’s Test Kitchen, Elle helped open doors that had long been closed-becoming one of the first Black women audiences saw in the test kitchen. She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media.”
Dan Souza, Chief Content Officer of America’s Test Kitchen, shared the company’s statement:
> “Friends and colleagues will remember Scott for her ability to create community and provide opportunities for others. Her legacy will live on at America’s Test Kitchen and in the homes and hearts of the millions of home cooks whose lives she touched.”
From Social Worker to Culinary Star
Scott’s journey to culinary fame began after the 2008 recession forced her to reassess her future. She left social work to pursue cooking, graduating from the Culinary Institute of New York in 2009.
Her career highlights include:
- Authoring bestselling cookbooks Boards (2022) and Food Gifts (2024)
- Creating and hosting The Walk-In podcast
- Founding SheChef in 2013 to support underrepresented culinary voices
- Advocating for food access in Black and brown communities
Cancer Battle and Advocacy
Diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer shortly after moving to Boston for America’s Test Kitchen, Scott became a fierce cancer advocate. She publicly shared her symptoms and experiences, calling herself a “thriver” rather than survivor.
Despite going into remission, the cancer later returned. Scott used her platform to educate and advocate while fighting for her life, promising to “utilize the rest of my life to make a change and be impactful.”
Key Takeaways
- Elle Simone Scott transformed food media representation as America’s Test Kitchen’s first Black woman
- She founded SheChef to support marginalized culinary professionals
- Scott authored two bestselling cookbooks and hosted a popular podcast
- Her cancer advocacy and honest sharing of her journey inspired thousands
- She leaves behind a legacy of opening doors for future generations of diverse chefs
Scott’s impact extends far beyond recipes-she redefined what success looks like in food media for women of color everywhere.
