Elle Simone Scott, ‘America’s Test Kitchen’ Chef and Television Host, Dies at 49

Scott joined “America’s Test Kitchen” in 2016 and became a regular on-air presence on the long-running PBS cooking program.

Chef Elle Simone Scott speaks at a press conference organized to deliver 1.5 million petitions to the USDA to Save School Lunches on Nov. 14, 2019 in Washington. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Parents Together

Elle Simone Scott, a chef, television personality, and longtime contributor to PBS’s “America’s Test Kitchen,” has died after a prolonged battle with ovarian cancer. She was 49.

Her death was confirmed by “America’s Test Kitchen” and publicly shared by chef Carla Hall, a close friend and colleague, who announced the news in a social media post honoring Scott’s life and career.

“Chef Elle Simone Scott was a friend, a force, and a trailblazer,” Hall wrote. “She showed up with excellence, generosity, and deep love for food and community.”

“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 show wrote in a statement.

Scott joined “America’s Test Kitchen” in 2016 and became a regular on-air presence on the long-running PBS cooking program, making her one of the most recognizable faces associated with the brand.

Hall noted that Scott played a significant role in shaping the show’s on-screen culture, writing, “She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media.”

Born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott on Nov. 28, 1976, Scott grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She began her professional life as a social worker before transitioning into the culinary field following the 2008 recession.

Scott studied at culinary school in New York and completed an internship with the Food Network. She went on to work across multiple platforms in food media, including television production, food styling, and digital content creation. Her credits included work with Cook’s Country, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, and other food-focused programming.

At “America’s Test Kitchen,” Scott held several roles over the years, including test cook, host, and executive editor. She also contributed to the show’s online cooking school and participated in special programming, including “28 Days of Edna,” a series highlighting the legacy of American chef Edna Lewis.

In addition to her television work, Scott authored two cookbooks: “Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings,” published in 2022, and “Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents,” released in 2024. She also created and hosted “The Walk-In” podcast, which featured conversations with chefs and industry professionals.

Scott was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in 2016. Hall referenced Scott’s perseverance in her tribute, writing: “Her voice mattered. Her work mattered. She mattered.”

In past interviews, Scott said her professional focus was rooted in longevity and purpose.

“There’s no work if you’re not leaving a legacy,” she told Food and Wine. “Otherwise, it’s self-serving, and once you’re gone, it’s gone.”