Elle Simone
American chef (1976–2026)

Elle Simone
Born
LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott

(1976-11-28)November 28, 1976
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJanuary 5, 2026(2026-01-05) (aged 49)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationsChef, culinary producer, test cook and food stylist

Elle Simone (born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott; November 28, 1976 – January 5, 2026), also known as Elle Simone Scott, was an American chef, culinary producer, test cook and food stylist. She was the first Black woman to appear as a regular host on the PBS television show America's Test Kitchen. She was the founder of the mentoring organization SheChef.

Early life and education

Simone was born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott[1] on November 28, 1976[2][3] and grew up in Detroit, Michigan, in a middle-class 7th-Day Adventist family.[1][4][5] She attended Eastern Michigan University.[1] Her first cooking job was at a kosher bakery in Oak Park, Michigan.[1] Before entering the culinary field, Simone worked as a social worker in Detroit.[6][7] She moonlighted as a prep cook.[5] She attended Culinary Institute of New York.[1] She had a master's degree in entertainment business.[4][7]

Culinary career

At age 28, Simone lost her job as a social worker, her car, and her home during the 2008 recession.[7][8] She took a job on a cruise ship as a cook for two years.[5][7] In 2009 she moved to New York, working at a women's shelter, and in 2010 attended culinary school.[1][5][9] She did an internship with Food Network.[7] She worked as a food stylist for Cabot Creamery and The Chew.[5] She worked in culinary production for Cook's Country, Food Network, Bravo, and Cooking Channel.[5][7][10]

Simone was the first African American woman to appear as a regular host on the PBS television show America's Test Kitchen starting in 2016.[1][11][12] She was a test cook and food stylist for the show.[13] She also developed videos for the show's online cooking school.[14]

She was featured in a segment of NBC's The Hub Today in 2018[1] and in 2019 hosted 28 Days of Edna, a monthlong America's Test Kitchen series focused on Edna Lewis.[5]

Simone was a member of the board of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.[15] She said she wanted to become the "culinary Oprah".[1][9]

Philanthropy

Simone founded SheChef, a for-profit mentoring and networking organization for women of color in the culinary field, in 2013.[16] As of November 2018 it had over 1000 members.[6][10][17] She was motivated to do so after realizing that although 90% of her culinary school classmates had been women or persons of color, this group was underrepresented among chefs.[18]

After her 2016 ovarian cancer diagnosis, Simone became active with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, joining the board of directors of the organization [19] and chairing or emceeing various events, especially focused on raising funds or awareness about ovarian cancer among women of color.[20]

Personal life and death

Simone was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016, at the age of 40,[20] and served on the board of directors for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.[21] She died at her home in Boston on January 5, 2026, at age 49.[19][22][23]

Books

  • Simone Scott, Elle (2022). Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings. Boston: America's Test Kitchen. ISBN 9781954210011. OCLC 1261878262. OL 39641456M.[24][25]
  • Simone Scott, Elle (2024). Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents. Boston: America's Test Kitchen. ISBN 9781954210820. OCLC 1429158479. OL 51108654M.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i First, Devra (December 3, 2018). "Meet the America's Test Kitchen Star Who Dreams of Being the Culinary Oprah". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  2. ^ Perry, Kevin E G (January 8, 2026). "Elle Simone Scott, Trailblazing America's Test Kitchen Chef, Dies Aged 49". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  3. ^ Petski, Denise (January 8, 2026). "Elle Simone Scott Dies: America's Test Kitchen Chef, Host & Vocal Advocate for Diversity & Inclusion in Food TV Was 49". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Reliford, Alexis (July 18, 2014). "Elle Simone Scott, Creating Culinary Careers". Essence. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Kearnan, Scott (February 5, 2019). "Elle Simone Is Changing the Look of the Culinary Industry". Boston. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Musho, Lee (November 14, 2018). "Who Is She (Chef)?". Baked. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Jhaveri, Rayna (November 27, 2018). "Elle Simone Scott: TV Talent on America's Test Kitchen Founder of SheChef". Edible Boston. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Zoe; Garcia, Maria (January 14, 2019). "Elle Simone Scott's Mission to Become the Oprah of the Food World". Boston: WBUR-FM. Archived from the original on October 24, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Saxe, Lizzy (March 31, 2019). "Elle Simone Scott Can't Wait to Be Culinary Oprah". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Turshen, Julia (May 17, 2019). "A Conversation with Elle Simone Scott". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  11. ^ Johnson, Kandia (July 9, 2018). "First Black Woman on America's Test Kitchen and Her Mission for Women Chefs of Color". Black Enterprise. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  12. ^ "Elle Simone". Black Food & Beverage. Winter 2019. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Swift, Sally (October 5, 2018). "America's Test Kitchen's Chicken and Pastry Is a Comfort Food Dish Influenced by Edna Lewis". The Splendid Table. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  14. ^ Doyle, Terrence (January 25, 2017). "Elle Simone Discusses Her Unexpected Transition from Food Stylist to TV Personality". America's Test Kitchen. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "Women Chefs & Restaurateurs: About Us". Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  16. ^ Dearing, Tiziana; Bologna, Jamie (September 2, 2019). "Finding Meaning in Work: A Labor Day Edition of Radio Boston". Boston: WBUR-FM. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  17. ^ "Elle Simone Scott". Women In Hospitality United. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  18. ^ "Conversations with the Inspiring Elle Simone Scott". Boston Voyager Magazine. November 15, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Wilson, Korsha (January 12, 2026). "Elle Simone Scott, Chef and Cooking Show Stalwart, Dies at 49". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  20. ^ a b Nania, Rachel (March 1, 2019). "Star Chef Fights for Equality in Food Industry, Cancer Research". Washington, DC: WTOP-FM. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  21. ^ "In Loving Memory of Elle Simone Scott". Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  22. ^ a b Thomas, Moná (January 8, 2026). "PBS TV Chef Dies of Ovarian Cancer at 49". People. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  23. ^ Gray, Arielle (January 7, 2026). "Chef and food stylist Elle Simone Scott dies at 49". Boston: WBUR-FM. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  24. ^ "Elle Simone Scott Learned to Center Others by Putting Herself First". Nation's Restaurant News. February 22, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  25. ^ Washington, Elizabeth (November 12, 2022). "Dive Into the World of Food Presentation with Elle Simone". ClickOnDetroit. Detroit: WDIV-TV. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
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