The social worker-turned- celebrity chef who wanted to ‘become the Oprah of the culinary world’ died aged 49, a decade after she was first diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer
TV chef Elle Simone Scott has died at 49 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. The Michigan-born podcaster, presenter and author has been described by former colleagues and friends as a “trailblazer” who “helped open doors” as one of the first Black women to host a major American TV cookery show.
Her career in the kitchen began in her late 20s after she lost her job in social work during the 2008 financial crash. Early in her culinary career she said she wanted to become “culinary Oprah” so she could “take care of her family”. The news of her death was posted on the Instagram page of America’s Test Kitchen, a multimedia cookery company which creates the ATK television show on which Elle worked.
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Its tribute to the late chef, who joined the company in 2016 and became a long-time cast member on the television show, described Elle as “incredible human being” and paid tribute to the many “firsts” she achieved in her life, including co-founding SheChed Inc, which mentors young women of colour pursuing culinary jobs.
“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.”
The post received a huge number of comments from Elle’s devastated fans, including one who described 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 was first diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2016, shortly after she moved to Boston to work with ATK as a food stylist. She chose to speak openly about her diagnosis, and went on to raise awareness and perform cooking demonstrations of chemotherapy-friendly food for America’s National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
In 2018 and while in remission she told 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.’ ”
Following her death, tributes also flooded in from other celebrity chefs, including Carla Hall, who appeared on American reality series Top Chef. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, she described her friend and colleague as a “trailblazer” and said 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.”
