Friends and former colleagues have paid tribute to ‘trailblazing’ TV chef Elle Simone Scott, who has died aged 49 after a long battle with ovarian cancer
TV chef Elle Simone Scott has passed away at 49 following a lengthy fight against ovarian cancer. The Michigan-born podcaster, presenter and author has been hailed by former workmates and pals as a “trailblazer” who “helped open doors” as one of the first Black women to front a major American TV cooking programme.
Her journey in the culinary world kicked off in her late 20s after losing her position in social work during the 2008 economic downturn. Early in her cooking career she expressed her ambition to become the “culinary Oprah” so she could “take care of her family”.
The announcement of her passing was shared on the Instagram account of America’s Test Kitchen, a multimedia cooking enterprise that produces the ATK television programme where Elle was employed.
The company’s homage to the beloved chef, who joined the team in 2016 and became a stalwart cast member on the TV show, called Elle an “incredible human being” and celebrated the numerous “firsts” she accomplished throughout her life, including co-establishing SheChed Inc, which guides young women of colour pursuing careers in the culinary arts.
“Elle brought warmth and a vibrant spirit to everything she did and will leave a lasting mark on us as well as the millions of cooks who welcomed her into their home,” the tribute said. “Here at ATK, she will be remembered for her genuine appreciation for the people around her and the care she showed for her work and her colleagues. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.”, reports the Mirror.
The post attracted an enormous wave of comments from Elle’s heartbroken admirers, with one describing her as “the best to ever to do it”, adding that she “gave so many people so much of herself to carry with them”.
Elle initially received a Stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2016, just after relocating to Boston to join ATK as a food stylist. She made the decision to discuss her condition publicly, subsequently championing awareness and delivering cooking demonstrations featuring chemotherapy-friendly recipes for America’s National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
During remission in 2018, she revealed to the Boston Globe: “When I was getting chemo, I promised God two things: ‘God, if you let me survive cancer I will use my platform to bring attention to this cancer and any other women’s cancer, and I will give my all to SheChef and give my all to women who look like me.’ “.
After her passing, tributes poured in from fellow celebrity chefs, including Carla Hall, who featured on American reality programme Top Chef. In an emotional Facebook tribute, she hailed her friend and colleague as a “trailblazer” and declared her legacy would “live on in every kitchen” and within every other chef Elle inspired.
“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,” Carla 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, 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. 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.
“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.”
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
