Shirley Chung of ‘Top Chef’ closes Culver City restaurant Ms. Chi during cancer treatment
As a movie reviewer with a penchant for culinary tales and a soft spot for underdog stories, I find myself deeply moved by the narrative of Shirley Chung, the indomitable Top Chef contestant and Culver City’s beloved Ms. Chi Cafe proprietor. This is more than just a tale about a chef and her restaurant; it’s a story of resilience, strength, and the unwavering spirit that defines us all.
As a passionate cinephile, I’m compelled to share that the talented chef, Shirley Chung – a familiar face from “Top Chef,” has momentarily halted her culinary journey at Ms. Chi Cafe in Culver City. This pause is not due to any kitchen mishap or a brief sabbatical, but rather, she’s focusing on her personal health as she bravely battles Stage 4 tongue cancer. Let’s keep her in our thoughts during this challenging time.
On Friday, the renowned chef from Beijing, aged 47, disclosed her recent diagnosis on Instagram by posting a video of herself shaving her head in anticipation of chemotherapy. In this video, she humorously compares herself to different types of eggs and later comments on her new buzzcut, saying it has a touch of allure.
Beginning from December, as Chung mentioned in the post, she’s been experiencing a string of dental problems that she thought were due to excessive teeth grinding. However, in May, these issues escalated with the appearance of mouth ulcers. This discovery by her oral surgeon eventually led to the unveiling of a tumor concealed beneath her tongue.
In her words, Chung was told she had Stage 4 tongue cancer, which meant that the cancerous cells had additionally affected her lymph nodes.
Due to Chef Shirley’s health condition, Chung and her partner, Jimmy Lee, have decided to close Ms Chi temporarily. This move allows Chef Shirley to focus on her recovery. They shared this news on Instagram last Friday, mentioning that their restaurant will cease operations this Sunday, and they will no longer be accepting delivery orders via GoldBelly as of August 15th.
As a small business owner who has spent countless hours perfecting our dumpling recipes and building relationships within the Culver City community, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you – our dedicated staff, supportive patrons, and passionate fans. Over the last several years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing our love for dumplings with you all, and it has been an absolute joy calling Culver City our home.
Although they haven’t announced a specific date for reopening yet, Chung mentioned that she immediately started treatment as soon as she was diagnosed.
“She remained composed when the doctors shared the news, for a chef, she’s known to perform best in high-pressure situations,” she posted on Instagram. “Determined to expedite all necessary tests and scans, she could swiftly begin her treatment plans.”
When she started talking about treatment options with her oncologist shortly afterward, she found herself overwhelmed, weeping, struggling to form coherent thoughts and pose queries, despite her best efforts.
She was given two possibilities: “Complete extraction of your tongue” or “an alternative scenario, similar to a unique instance at the University of Chicago, where they successfully treated a patient (a chef!), using radiation and chemotherapy.”
“Do I prioritize a higher survival chance, or maintain my tongue?”, she pondered. “I opted for the latter, I’m a fighter, I’m a chef, I can embody the spirit of a unicorn as well.”
Chung stated that having chemotherapy feels like a “full-time occupation,” yet she reported significant progress after completing six weeks of therapy. Her tumor is reducing in size, her ability to speak has improved, and she’s able to consume a variety of foods once more.
She shared, “I’m learning to rely on others, to release control, and to show my vulnerability.” She added, “It’s alright for me to not always be strong.”
After reflection, she shared: “My path to healing is challenging and lengthy, but your affection and encouragement will sustain me. Encourage me, by 2025, a revitalized Shirley Chung will emerge!”
Among many of Chung’s friends, several expressed their approval, with Alex Guarnaschelli from Food Network suggesting that she should not act as a chef currently, but rather embrace being someone who’s open to receiving encouragement and affection.
“Shirley Chung’s tenacity against cancer is undeniable, as evidenced by Aarti Sequeira’s comment from ‘The Next Food Network Star’ Season 6: ‘It seems cancer doesn’t stand a chance against her!'”
As a passionate cinephile, I, Chung, made the daring decision to abandon my postgraduate career in high tech and instead follow my heart’s calling – the captivating world of culinary arts. This transformation is vividly chronicled on my website. My journey as a chef gained national recognition when I competed on seasons 11 and 14 of Bravo’s prestigious “Top Chef” show. In the year 2014, I proudly unveiled Twenty Eight Restaurant and Bar in the vibrant city of Irvine. Fast forward to 2018, and my latest culinary venture, Ms. Chi Cafe, was born.
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2024-07-31 23:31