lle Simone Scott, a beloved chef, author, television personality and advocate whose warmth and creativity helped reshape the world of food media, has died at age 49.
Her family announced she passed away on January 5, 2026, following her long-running battle with ovarian cancer, closing a remarkable life marked by culinary passion, representation and mentorship, according to the Massachusetts radio station WBUR.
Scott Had an Impressive Career
Scott was widely known for her work on PBS’s “America’s Test Kitchen,” where she became the first Black woman to serve as a regular on-air contributor.
She joined the cast in 2016 and quickly won viewers’ affection with her accessible cooking style, engaging personality and thoughtful kitchen insights.
Beyond test kitchen segments, Scott also served as an executive editor and helped shape content that educated home cooks and inspired confidence in kitchens across the world.
Born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott in Detroit, Scott’s culinary journey was rooted in both personal and professional transitions.
Before food television, she worked as a social worker and found an unexpected calling in the kitchen after losing her job in the 2008 recession.
She trained at the Culinary Institute of New York and worked her way from cruise ship kitchens to internships with major food networks and eventually into television production and food styling.
In addition to her television career, Scott was a prolific author, publishing cookbooks such as “Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings” and “Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents,” which blended her creativity with practical culinary knowledge.
Scott’s impact extended well beyond recipe testing. In 2013, she founded SheChef, a networking and mentorship organization for women chefs of color and their supporters.
Through SheChef, Scott worked to expand opportunity and representation in the culinary world, creating supportive spaces for emerging chefs and advocating for equity across an industry where voices like hers had historically been under-represented.
Her battle with ovarian cancer began in 2016, shortly after she moved to Boston to work with “America’s Test Kitchen.”
Scott openly discussed her diagnosis and used her platform to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection and advocacy — turning personal adversity into action that informed and inspired many.
Tributes Pour In
Tributes from fans, colleagues and fellow culinary professionals poured in as news of her death spread.
Many highlighted her kindness, generosity and commitment to uplifting others in the kitchen and beyond.
Chef Carla Hall shared a touching Instagram tribute to Scott. “Chef Elle Simone Scott was a friend, a force, and a trailblazer. She showed up with excellence, generosity, and deep love for food and community.”
Hall added how she “helped open doors that had long been closed” and “she changed what representation looked like in food media.”
Social media comments reflected deep affection: viewers remembered her not only for expertise and technique, but for the joy she brought to home cooking and the confidence she instilled in millions of cooks who watched her work.
