Celebrity chef Carla Hall, famed for her roles on Top Chef and The Chew, is inspiring fans by sharing her journey of graceful aging. As she turns 61, Hall openly embraces the wisdom and confidence that come with age, prioritizing her health and embarking on new adventures while proclaiming that this is her most empowering decade yet.
Celebrity chef Carla Hall is redefining what it means to age, confidently embracing her 61st year with a vibrant spirit and a profound sense of self-acceptance. Known for her infectious personality and culinary prowess, Hall is now inspiring a new conversation around aging, wisdom, and the inherent beauty of life’s later chapters.
Hall, who celebrated her 61st birthday in May 2025, recently shared her candid thoughts with People and EatingWell, highlighting her belief that “we’re not disposable; we are sexy. Our best years are not behind us.” This powerful message resonates deeply with her dedicated fan community, who admire her authenticity and zest for life.
Embracing Wisdom and Rejecting Conventional Beauty Standards
For Carla Hall, aging is not a process to fight but a journey to embrace. She emphasizes the profound wisdom that comes with each passing year, stating, “As I age, I am filled with so much more wisdom, wisdom that I can actually use.” This perspective allows her to navigate life with a unique blend of experience and joy.
Hall has been vocal about her decision to forgo cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers. “I don’t judge people who do it. It’s just not going to happen for me,” she told People. Instead, she chooses to celebrate her natural appearance, including her laugh lines and deepening dimples, seeing them as markers of a life well-lived. “My laugh lines mean I laugh,” she proudly declared, a sentiment that has endeared her to many who seek a more authentic approach to self-image.
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Carla Hall speaks to guests during Taste of the NFL presented by Frito-Lay
A Culinary Journey and Evolving Career
Carla Hall’s path to culinary stardom has been anything but conventional. Before becoming a household name, she was a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers, a career she eventually quit. “I really did not enjoy that job,” she shared, explaining her philosophy: “You can always just quit.” This belief in reinvention led her to an unexpected modeling career in Paris, Milan, and London, which, in turn, sparked her love for food.
Upon returning to the States, Hall launched a successful catering business, diligently putting in her “10,000 hours” before enrolling in culinary school to formalize her skills. Her big break came in 2008 as a contestant on Top Chef: New York, where her vivacious personality and signature “Hootie Hoo!” catchphrase quickly made her a fan favorite. She later returned for Top Chef: All-Stars, solidifying her place in the culinary world.
Her television career further blossomed as a co-host on The Chew for seven seasons, a role that cemented her status as a beloved media personality. Despite the show’s memorable cancellation in May 2018, Hall embraced new adventures, including roles on Food Network’s baking championship shows.
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Carla Hall – TOP CHEF
Prioritizing Health and Discussing Menopause
As her body changes with age, Carla Hall is prioritizing a diet rich in protein to support her health. Her go-to food is eggs, to which she now adds cottage cheese for an extra protein boost. This mindful approach to nutrition is part of her larger commitment to well-being as she ages.
Hall has also been commendably open about her experience with menopause, shedding light on a journey that was once largely unspoken. She has discussed common symptoms like brain fog, night sweats, and trouble sleeping, and shared her treatment “cocktail” which includes hormone replacement therapy, collagen, and magnesium, noting its positive impact on her energy levels. Her candidness is a testament to her desire to empower other women navigating similar experiences, making menopause “less of a silent journey.”
New Beginnings: Podcast Reunion and “Chasing Flavor”
Continuing her philosophy of “onward and upward,” Carla Hall recently reunited with her former The Chew co-hosts, Clinton Kelly and Michael Symon, to launch their new podcast, Chewed Up, which debuted on September 22. This reunion was met with excitement from long-time fans of The Chew, eager to hear the beloved trio back together.
Beyond the podcast, Hall is also making waves as the lead host and executive producer of Max’s new food adventure series, Chasing Flavor, which premiered on February 1. In this dream role, she travels the world, tracing the origins of iconic American dishes, demonstrating her continued passion for culinary exploration and storytelling.
Her personal life, shared with her husband of 17 years, Matthew Lyons (a lawyer turned yoga instructor), remains a grounding force amidst her busy career. Lyons often reminds her of “the value of rest,” supporting her meteoric rise while noting her consistent character.
Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations
Even at 61, Carla Hall’s adventurous spirit shows no signs of dimming. When asked about her next act, she playfully suggested “race car driving,” emphasizing her belief in constantly challenging oneself for personal growth. This embodies her overarching message: that age is not a barrier to new experiences or personal evolution, but rather an accumulation of wisdom to fuel an ever-expanding life.
