Additional Coverage:
Beloved America’s Test Kitchen Star, Elle Simone Scott, Dies at 49
The culinary world is mourning the loss of Elle Simone Scott, a celebrated cookbook author and integral cast member of PBS’s “America’s Test Kitchen.” Scott passed away on Monday at the age of 49, a decade after her initial diagnosis with ovarian cancer.
“America’s Test Kitchen” shared the somber news on its official Instagram account, expressing profound sadness. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share that our beloved colleague and friend, Elle Simone Scott, has passed away,” the post read. “We are still finding our words as we mourn the loss of an incredible human.”
Scott made history in 2016 when she joined the popular PBS series as its first Black cast member to appear regularly. During her tenure, she served as a host, test cook, and executive editor, sharing her expertise and passion for food with a wide audience.
Before her time at “America’s Test Kitchen,” Scott honed her skills in cruise ship kitchens, eventually attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of New York in 2009. Her impressive career included internships at the Food Network and work for Bravo and the Cooking Channel.
Driven by a desire to address the underrepresentation of women and people of color in the culinary industry, Scott founded SheChef, a vital networking group. In a 2019 interview, she explained her vision, stating, “I thought it would be a great way to create a network to bring those underrepresented people together to see how we could support each other. SheChef is meant to be a glass window for all of us to look through and see ourselves being successful on the other side.”
Scott’s battle with stage 1 ovarian cancer began in 2016, shortly after she joined “America’s Test Kitchen.” Her resilience and dedication continued to inspire many throughout her journey. Her legacy as a culinary talent, an advocate for diversity, and a beloved personality will undoubtedly be remembered.