Elle Simone Scott, the longtime America’s Test Kitchen chef, died on Jan. 5, 2026 , at age 49 , after a battle with ovarian cancer. She had been a trailblazing presence on the show and was remembered as the first Black woman to become a regular part of the cast.

Quick Scoop

  • She joined America’s Test Kitchen in 2016.
  • She was known as a test cook, food stylist, host, and executive editor on the program.
  • Her passing was confirmed by the show and reported by multiple outlets in early January 2026.

What happened

Reports say Scott had been living with ovarian cancer for years and later died from the disease. She was widely praised for her advocacy, representation, and mentorship work in food media.

Why people noticed

A lot of the reaction online has focused on how important she was to viewers and to representation on public television. She was remembered not just for her cooking work, but for helping open doors in a space where Black women were underrepresented.

If you want, I can also give you a short timeline of her career on America’s Test Kitchen.