Shirley Chung

Chung was born in Beijing, China, and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 17 years old.^[5] She was introduced to international cuisine as a child by her grandmother Liang Si Yi, who worked as a director for the Red Cross.^[6] Chung worked for several years in Silicon Valley, after graduating with a degree in business administration.^[7] She eventually left the tech industry to attend culinary school.^[8]

Trained in classic French and Italian cuisine, Chung has worked and opened restaurants for chefs including José Andrés, Thomas Keller and Guy Savoy.^[9][6] In 2014 she opened Twenty Eight with Stacie Tran, acting as partner chef at the Irvine, California, restaurant.^[9] In 2016, she left that restaurant.^[4]

Chung opened her first restaurant, Ms. Chi Cafe, in Culver City in 2018.^[10] 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.^[5] Ms. Chi Cafe closed in August 2024.^[11][12]

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.^[13] She returned to the show during season 14, competing against winner Brooke Williamson in the finals.^[14] The pair previously competed against each other as part of Top Chef Duels, where Chung bested Williamson.^[15] In 2022, she began participating on Food Network's Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri.^[6]

Chung is married. In May 2024, Chung was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer.^[11] She underwent chemotherapy and reported in 2025 that while she's still recovering, that the cancer is now in remission.^[16]

• Chung, Shirley (2018). Chinese Heritage Cooking From My American Kitchen: Discover Authentic Flavors with Vibrant, Modern Recipes. Salem, MA: Page Street Publishing (published Oct 23, 2018). ISBN 9781624146770.