‘Top Chef' Alum Reveals Stage 4 Cancer Is in Remission: ‘Can't Wait to Get Back to Life'
Celebrity chef Shirley Chung has shared a positive update on her health nearly a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer.
'Introducing Shirley Chung 2.0 ... I am in 100% remission!' the 48-year-old
Chung, who is known for her appearances on Bravo's 'Top Chef' and the Food Network's 'House of Knives,' among other cooking shows, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on May 30, 2024. She shared the news with her social media followers that July, revealing the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
'The tumor was hidden on the bottom left of my tongue, and it was progressing so aggressively that in less than one week of the diagnosis, it took over almost my entire tongue,' she penned in her recent post.
Chung decided against undergoing surgery to completely remove her tongue. Instead, she and her husband, Jimmy Lee, shuttered their restaurant in Culver City, California, Ms. Chi Cafe, and moved to Illinois so the television personality could receive radiation and chemotherapy treatments at the University of Chicago.
'I completed nine weeks, 27 chemos, then 10 weeks 50 radiation and 24 hour chemo drip,' she recounted. 'My first three month scans came back 98% cleared, only two of my left lymph nodes had cancer cells. I just completed my six month scans, I can proudly say, no cancer cell was detected in my body.'
Related Stories
3/5/2025
4/2/2025
Chung is still on the road to recovery. Although she is now able to consume solid meals, having had her feeding tube removed early last month, she must relearn how to speak.
'I need to continue to get tests and scans for two years, then I will be officially cured,' she wrote. 'But I am feeling great, and can't wait to get back to life!'
Chung, who immigrated to the United States from Beijing at age 17, concluded her update by expressing gratitude to those who supported her over the past year.
'In my cancer journey, so many of you reaching out, checking on me, digging me out when I was depressed. Your love, your prayers, your support carried me forward, helped me heal, helped me always see the light,' she wrote.
'2.0 is stronger because I am powered by all of your love. Sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will share details of my fighting journey in the next few weeks, and I hope it will help other cancer warriors, it's time for me to pay it forward.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Food Network Star Anne Burrell Dies at Age 55 Inside Her Brooklyn Home: Tributes Pour in for ‘Beloved Wife, Sister, Daughter'
Beloved Food Network star Anne Burrell has tragically passed away at the age of 55 inside her New York home after suffering from a reported cardiac arrest. The chef—who rose to stardom after starring in 'Worst Cooks in America'—was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' inside her $1.5 million Brooklyn apartment, a New York City Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Page Six. Officers from the 76th Precinct of the NYPD responded to a 911 call from Burrell's address about an 'unresponsive 55-year-old female' potentially in 'cardiac arrest' on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:50 a.m. However, after arriving at the property, emergency responders 'pronounced [Burrell] deceased on scene,' police officers said. The chef is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; sister, Jane; and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; as well as her brother, Ben. A cause of death has yet to be determined and is pending an autopsy from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. According to People, police officers didn't initially identify Burrell as the deceased because they had yet to inform her family members about her passing. However, the address police provided in their report matches an apartment unit that is registered to Burrell. The star chef's family later announced the tragic news of her death in a statement, describing Burrell as a 'beloved' relative and friend. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend—her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal,' the family's heartbreaking statement read. The Food Network also honored the cooking guru in a message shared with the New York Post, which read, 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. 'Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.' Burrell had been living in the Carroll Gardens dwelling since 2019, when she purchased it for $1.5 million, according to records, two years before she tied the knot with Claxton. In the years since, she shared regular glimpses inside the three-bedroom property, offering fans a sneak peek inside the picturesque abode, as well as the sunlit terrace on which she could often be seen relaxing. Other sweet social media posts shared from inside the home included videos of her husband bonding with their pet cats, as well as images of Burrell kicking back with some knitting, or cuddling with her beloved felines. Burrell became a household name after showcasing her talents in the kitchen on a slew of cooking shows, including 'Iron Chef America,' 'Chef Wanted,' and 'Chopped.' The chef even received an Emmy nomination for her show 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,' which was on for nine seasons. Burrell graced TV screens after teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education in the early 2000s. In addition to cooking up several tasty meals on the big screen, Burrell also released two cookbooks: 'Cook Like a Rock Star,' which was a New York Times bestseller, and 'Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.' Just five days before she passed away, Burrell shared a selfie with a Big Apple icon, who is known as Green Lady of Brooklyn, to Instagram and expressed her excitement to meet the NYC star. Investors Are Selling a Record Share of Homes To Cut Their Losses—Especially in These 5 States Homeowners Are 43 Times Wealthier Than Renters First-Time Homebuyers Say This Is Their Biggest Regret After Closing on a House
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
911 call: Chef Anne Burrell may have suffered cardiac arrest before death
NEW YORK — Celebrity chef Anne Burrell may have gone into cardiac arrest before she suddenly died in her Brooklyn apartment this week. Officers with the NYPD found Burrell unresponsive inside her Brooklyn home on Tuesday around 7:50 a.m., after a 911 caller reported that the chef had seemingly gone into cardiac arrest, a spokesperson for the NYC Fire Department told TMZ. Paramedics were unable to revive her and the Food Network star was pronounced dead on the scene. She was 55 years old. Burrell's official cause of death has not yet been confirmed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and an investigation into the matter is ongoing. Few other details have been provided. Burrell, beloved for her high-energy and enthusiasm for all things for food, became a fan favorite at the Food Network with her signature spiky platinum blonde hair. She got her start as a sous chef on 'Iron Chef America,' but she's perhaps best known for her role on 'Worst Cooks in America,' during which worked to whip struggling chefs into shape. With more than 200 culinary competitions under her belt, she also appeared on shows including 'Chef Wanted,' 'Chopped,' 'Food Network Star' and the new series, 'House of Knives,' which debuted in March. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement. 'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,' it continued. 'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021, and his son, Javier.
UPI
28 minutes ago
- UPI
Food world mourns death of Anne Burrell
Anne Burrell arrives on the red carpet at "The Loudest Voice" New York premiere in 2019. Celebrities reacted to her death with social media posts Wednesday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- The food world is paying tribute to late chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell. Top Chef alum Carla Hall, former Chopped and MasterChef judge Aaron Sanchez, Food Network television personality Aarti Sequeira, and Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro were among those who took to Instagram to memorialize Burrell, who died Tuesday at age 55. "I absolutely loved working with Anne on Worst Cooks in America," Hall wrote. "She was a fierce chief and instructor -- rocking her custom skirts, mismatched socks and that unforgettable big smile," she continued. "Anne, you brought so much heart and heat to every kitchen. You will be missed." Sequeira also wrote about Burrell's mentorship in her tribute. "Anne was a tough but invested teacher, who thought enough of you to tell you the truth without watering it down. I always appreciated that she cared enough about a newbie to the game to give it to her straight. Ever since, she always greeted me with warmth, joy and that trademark big laugh. My heart would beat faster because I was a huge fan of her cooking show, the way she really thought of ways to teach cooking techniques," she said. Sanchez said he is "heartbroken" over Burrell's death. "Her spirit, her fire, her talent, her leadership, her laugh... unforgettable," he wrote. "So much respect and love for this amazing woman." Valastro wrote that Burrell's "passion, energy and love for food lit up every kitchen." "You were a true force and a beautiful soul," he added. "Rest in peace, Chef. We'll miss you dearly." "Devastated," Sunny Anderson captioned a photograph of herself with Burrell. Gigi Hadid, who briefly worked with Burrell said that she, too, is "heartbroken." "As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true," she wrote in her Instagram stories with a photograph. "Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat. I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in peace legend." Notable deaths of 2025 Anne Burrell Anne Burrell arrives on the red carpet at the City Harvest "Red Supper Club" Fundraising Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 26, 2022 in New York City. Burrell Anne Burrell arrives on the red carpet at the City Harvest "Red Supper Club" Fundraising Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 26, 2022 in New York City. Burrell died June 17. No cause of death was given. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
