In the summer of 2024, celebrity chef Shirley Chung announced on social media that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma tongue cancer. But now, 11 months later, she has shared the good news that she is in remission — “Introducing Shirley Chung 2.0 !! ✌️💪,” shared the chef on Instagram.
“I just completed my 6-month scans, I can proudly say, no cancer cell was detected in my body, I am in 100% Remission!! 🦄I am still healing, learning to speak again, and started to have solid food 2 meals a day. Dr. Vokes said I need to continue to get tests and scans for 2 years, then I will be officially cured,” wrote Chung on Instagram.
She also detailed how scary this was for her as a chef because, after her initial diagnosis, the doctors wanted to remove her tongue.
“The tumor was hidden on the bottom left of my tongue, and it was progressing so aggressively that in less than 1 week of the diagnosis, it took over almost my entire tongue. Since 100% removal of my tongue was not an option for me as a chef. I moved to Chicago, started radiation + chemo treatments in @uchicago under Dr. Vokes and Dr. Juloori’s care,” wrote the two-time Top Chef finalist.
The Tournament of Champions contestant also thanked all of her friends and fans who reached out during her cancer battle, writing, “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. 🐦🔥2.0 is stronger because I am powered by all of your love.”
In the comments, fellow celebrity chefs are ecstatic that Chung is going to be OK.
“Love reading this. ❤️,” wrote Chef Alex Guarnaschelli.
Chef Nina Compton, who was a finalist with Chung on Top Chef: New Orleans, wrote, “You look amazing! And always unstoppable. Love you, sis ❤️.”
“👏👏👏👏 💪💪💪 love you so much,” wrote Chef Maneet Chauhan, and Chef Stephanie Izard added, “So strong!! ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥.”
Top Chef judge Gail Simmons wrote, “You are starlight @chfshirleychung and a total inspiration to us all! 💫 ❤️,” and Chef Elizabeth Faulkner added, “❤️🙌👏 love you so much Shirley Chung!”
Chef Tiffani Faison wrote, “Our Babe, Our Warrior!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍,” and Chef Amanda Freitag simply posted, “🔥❤️🔥❤️👏👏😍.”
Chung also had good news to share earlier this week — she won the first season of House of Knives on Food Network.
