Shirley Chung Explained

Shirley Chung
Birth Date:[1]
Birth Place:Beijing, China
Restaurants:
  • Twenty Eight, Irvine, CA (2014-2018)
  • Ms. Chi Cafe, Culver City, CA (2018-2024)
Television:

Shirley Chung is a Chinese-American chef known for appearances on , and Food Network's Tournament of Champions.

Early life and education

Chung was born in Beijing, China, and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 17 years old.[2] She was introduced to international cuisine as a child by her grandmother Liang Si Yi, who worked as a director for the Red Cross.[3] Chung worked for several years in Silicon Valley, after graduating with a degree in business administration.[4] She eventually left the tech industry to attend culinary school.[5]

Career

Trained in classic French and Italian cuisine, Chung has worked and opened restaurants for chefs including José Andrés, Thomas Keller and Guy Savoy.[6] In 2014 she opened Twenty Eight with Stacie Tran, acting as partner chef at the Irvine, California, restaurant. In 2016, she left that restaurant.[7]

Chung opened her first restaurant, Ms. Chi Cafe, in Culver City in 2018.[8] She spoke openly about her experiences with anti-Asian racism following the onset of the COVID-19 in order to draw attention to the impact of hate-motivated behavior on Asian Pacific American owned businesses. Ms. Chi Cafe closed in August 2024.[9] [10]

In addition to working in restaurants, Chung has appeared on numerous cooking-related television shows. She first appeared as a contestant on Top Chef season 11, where she finished in third place.[11] She returned to the show during season 14, competing against winner Brooke Williamson in the finals.[12] The pair previously competed against each other as part of Top Chef Duels, where Chung bested Williamson.[13] In 2022, she began participating on Food Network's Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri.

Personal

Chung is married. In May of 2024, Chung was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and reported in 2025 that while she's still recovering, that the cancer is now in remission.[14]

Publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Life after 'Top Chef' for Shirley Chung – Orange County Register. The Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Luna. Nancy. March 9, 2017. May 23, 2024.
  2. News: Fox . Michelle . 17 May 2021 . Shirley Chung of 'Top Chef' pivoted her business and became a voice against anti-Asian hate . 19 July 2022 . news.yahoo.com.
  3. News: Huddleston . Justina . 25 February 2022 . The Truth About Shirley Chung From Guy Fieri's Tournament Of Champions Season 3 . 19 July 2022 . Mashed.com.
  4. Web site: Constante . Agnes . 2 May 2016 . Irvine Chef Spotlight: Shirley Chung . 19 July 2022 . www.destinationirvine.com . en-us.
  5. News: Radke . Brock . 25 September 2013 . Chatting with Las Vegas 'Top Chef' contestant Shirley Chung . 19 July 2022 . lasvegasweekly.com.
  6. News: Stapleton . Susan . 8 December 2014 . Shirley Chung Ready to Wow with Twenty Eight Modern Chinese Cuisine . 19 July 2022 . Eater Vegas . en.
  7. Web site: 2017-02-03 . Twenty Eight trades Chinese cuisine for meat-centric menu after exit of Top Chef’s Shirley Chung . 2025-12-31 . Orange County Register . en-US.
  8. News: Harris . Jenn . 27 September 2018 . 'Top Chef' alum Shirley Chung wants to change the way people think about Chinese food in L.A. . 19 July 2022 . Los Angeles Times.
  9. Web site: Holmes . Mona . 2024-07-29 . ‘Top Chef’ Alum Shirley Chung to Close Culver City Restaurant Following Cancer Diagnosis . 2025-12-31 . Eater LA . en-US.
  10. Web site: News . A. B. C. . 'Top Chef' alum Shirley Chung to close restaurant after revealing tongue cancer diagnosis . 2025-12-31 . ABC News . en.
  11. News: Calvario . Liz . 22 May 2021 . 'Top Chef' Alum Shirley Chung Shares Her Family-Inspired Recipe for Scallion Pancakes . 19 July 2022 . www.etonline.com.
  12. News: Bricker . Tierney . 3 March 2017 . Top Chef Season 14 Crowns a Winner After the Best Finale Ever: Was It Brooke Williamson or Shirley Chung? . 19 July 2022 . E! Online.
  13. News: Vilanova . John . 14 August 2014 . Top Chef Duels recap: Shirley Chung vs. Brooke Williamson . 19 July 2022 . EW.com . en.
  14. Web site: Etienne. Vanessa . Top Chef Alum Shirley Chung Says She's in '100% Remission' After Stage 4 Tongue Cancer. People. 2025-05-09.

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