She trained at the CIA (not that one, rather the Culinary Institute of America) and went on to cook at two 3-star Michelin restaurants in France. And yes, if you watched any FoodTV in your past you probably saw her. She’s simply an amazing chef.
In 2006, Cat was awarded Bon Appetit Magazine's "Teacher of the Year Award" and was named the Executive Chef of the magazine. Since then, she has blazed her own trail through the culinary world, becoming the first female inducted into The American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame. Cat has opened more than 18 restaurants across the United States and globally, highlighting her platform on health, wellness and sustainability. Cora is also a prominent published author of three successful cookbooks, one children's book and, in 2015, her raw and remarkably candid memoir called Cooking as Fast as I Can: A Chef's Story of Food, Family and Forgiveness.
MORE THAN A GREAT CHEF
Outside the kitchen, Cat is known for her philanthropy. She is President and Founder of Chefs for Humanity, an organization that originated in response to the 2004 Tsunami disaster. Modeled after Doctors Without Borders, the not-for-profit gathers the culinary community together to raise funds and provide resources for important emergency, educational and hunger-related causes. Recognizing Cat's altruistic determination in the food world, UNICEF named her a nutritional spokesperson to help raise awareness for humanitarian crises around the world.
AWARDED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA
In 2018, Chef Cat Cora launched her Women's Empowerment Culinary Internship Program to mentor, give back and help women succeed in the culinary arts. President Barack Obama awarded her The President's Volunteer Service Award for helping to address the most pressing needs in her community and our country and The President's Lifetime Achievement Award for building a stronger nation through her volunteer service.
