Chef Shirley Chung is a renowned chef and cookbook author who has gained widespread recognition after television appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef, Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, and most recently was crowned the winner of Food Network’s “House of Knives”. However, her most personal and proud title is that of Stage 4 Cancer Survivor.

in May 2024, Chef Shirley was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a severe and aggressive form of oral cancer. The tumor, hidden under her tongue, had spread rapidly in a very short time. The recommended course of treatment was surgery, with 100% removal of her tongue and lymph nodes, which had a 50% survival rate. As a chef, Shirley was devastated and asked about other options. She was told of a “unicorn” treatment that cured fellow chef, Grant Achatz through radiation and chemo. Chef Shirley chose to keep her tongue and FIGHT. She closed her California restaurant, Ms, Chi’s Cafe, and left her home, moving cross-country to Chicago to pursue treatment. Following nine weeks of 27 rounds of chemotherapy, 50 sessions of radiation, and a continuous 24-hour chemo drip, Chef Shirley was declared 100% in remission at her six-month scans! Shirley 2.0 was born and is healing, learning to speak again, and eating solid foods. She can’t wait to get back to life!

We are honored to have Chef Shirley Chung as our Mission Champion at Taste of Hope. She is our inspiration of how lifesaving cancer research can change lives and offer hope. Imagine if this happened to you. To your loved one. Join us in the fight as we strive to end cancer, as we know it, for everyone.