'America's Test Kitchen' Chef Elle Simone Scott Dies at 49

Elle Simone Scott, a celebrity chef who made history on the PBS cooking show America’s Test Kitchen, has died at the age of 49.

A spokesperson for the show confirmed the news of Elle‘s death to PEOPLE, revealing that she had passed away after undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in 2016.

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Elle became the first Black woman to join the PBS cooking show as a regular cast member when she signed on the same year that she received her diagnosis.

Dan Souza, COO of the long-running show, paid tribute to her in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“Friends and colleagues will remember Scott for her ability to create community and provide opportunities for others, both inside and outside of work,” he said. “Scott brought warmth and a vibrant spirit to everything she did. Her legacy will live on at America’s Test Kitchen and in the homes and hearts of the millions of home cooks whose lives she touched.”

Her friend and fellow celebrity chef Carla Hall paid tribute on Instagram, recognizing Elle as “one of the first Black women audiences saw in the test kitchen.”

“She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media,” she wrote, adding, “Her voice mattered. Her work mattered. She mattered. Elle faced ovarian cancer with courage and honesty, using her platform to educate, advocate, and uplift even while fighting for her life. That kind of strength leaves a mark.”

Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Elle at this difficult time. RIP.