Elle Simone Scott, a celebrated chef and cookbook author who broke barriers as the first Black woman cast member on PBS’s “America’s Test Kitchen,” died January 5, 2026. She was 49 years old.
Scott, born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott on November 28, 1976, in Detroit, Michigan, died from ovarian cancer after a long battle with the disease. The news was announced on the America’s Test Kitchen Instagram account.
Dan Souza, Chief Content Officer of America’s Test Kitchen, confirmed Scott’s death.
Scott joined America’s Test Kitchen in 2016, becoming a groundbreaking presence on the popular cooking program. She worked as a test cook and food stylist and served as an executive editor during her tenure with the show.
Before her culinary career, Scott worked as a social worker. Her path to the kitchen came after she lost her home, car, and job during the 2008 recession. In 2009, she moved to New York City and attended the Culinary Institute of New York, marking the beginning of her professional journey in food.
Scott completed an internship at Food Network and went on to work for Bravo and Cooking Channel, building experience across multiple platforms in food media.
In 2013, Scott co-founded SheChef Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring women chefs of color.
Scott was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016 at age 40, the same year she joined America’s Test Kitchen. The diagnosis came as stage 1 ovarian cancer. She became a cancer advocate after her diagnosis.
By 2020, Scott was cancer-free. However, the cancer returned after her remission.
Fellow chef Carla Hall paid tribute to Scott following her death.
Scott authored two cookbooks during her career. “Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings” was published in 2022, followed by “Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes” in 2024.
She also hosted “The Walk-In” podcast.
Scott attended Eastern Michigan University before pursuing her culinary education.
After leaving Detroit, Scott spent time in Boston, where she continued her work with America’s Test Kitchen.
Throughout her career, Scott worked to increase visibility for people of color in food media, particularly women of color. Her work with SheChef provided mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging chefs and food professionals.
Scott’s career trajectory from social work to culinary arts demonstrated her resilience and adaptability. The 2008 financial crisis forced her to reimagine her professional life, ultimately leading her to pursue a passion that brought her national recognition.
As a food stylist, Scott brought technical expertise to her work with America’s Test Kitchen.
America’s Test Kitchen, produced for PBS, has been a fixture in American homes for decades, known for its rigorous recipe testing and equipment reviews.
Scott’s advocacy work extended beyond her professional achievements. By speaking openly about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she helped reduce stigma around discussing serious illness in professional contexts.
The culinary industry has historically presented barriers for women and people of color, from professional kitchens to food media. Scott’s career addressed these challenges both through her visible presence on a major cooking program and through her organizational work creating support structures for others following similar paths.
Sources:
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-01-08/elle-simone-scott-chef-americas-test-kitchen-death-ovarian-cancer
https://deadline.com/2026/01/elle-simone-scott-dead-americas-test-kitchen-chef-1236676168/
https://www.tvinsider.com/1238124/pbs-americas-test-kitchen-elle-simone-scott-dead-tributes/
https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/07/chef-food-stylist-elle-simone-scott-dies
https://www.vice.com/en/article/elle-simone-scott-dead-at-49/
