Carla Hall

Carla Hall, a chef, bestselling author, and television personality, has been entertaining audiences with her enthusiasm for life and warm personality for years. Having spent seven years co-hosting ABC’s Emmy award-winning, popular lifestyle series "The Chew," Hall is featured on Food Network shows such as "BakeAway Camp" (judge), "Holiday Baking Championship" (judge), and "Worst Cooks in America." She also serves as a judge on the wildly popular "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking" on HBO Max, which films on actual sets from the movies at Warner Bros. Studios in London and is hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins in the film franchise.

Hall hosted the Emmy-nominated food and travel show "Chasing Flavor" (HBO Max), on which her curiosity about America’s most delicious dishes, from chicken pot pie to ice cream, leads her to Ghana, Italy, Turkey, and more. Along the way, she traces the history and lineage of dishes, discovering the interconnected origins and cultures that paved the way for today’s American cuisine. She was also a judge on the innovative food competition show "Crazy Delicious" (Netflix).

Furthermore, she hosted a podcast on the Wondery Platform called "Say Yes with Carla Hall," featuring interviews with successful people exploring how they overcame challenges and found ways to flourish. Her product line, Sweet Heritage by Carla Hall, available through QVC, is designed to bring useful, reliable kitchen items complete with a dash of joy and soul. The products, including baking sheets with silicone liners, a butter keeper, and nestable measuring cups, are made for everyday use and built to last.

Hall has also launched a digital magazine, Sweet Heritage. She brings her engaging spirit and curiosity to this biannual publication. Blending heartfelt storytelling, expert insights, and Hall’s passion for food, Sweet Heritage is more than a collection of recipes - it is an exploration of topics Hall is passionate about. Sweet Heritage is a fresh, dynamic way for Hall to connect with her audience and share her journey of continuous learning.

Her second children’s book, "Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party," based on her childhood memories of visiting her grandparents with her sister, centers on a tea party gone awry until her grandmother steps in, sharing her recipe for a special cake to save the day. She entered the world of children’s books with the critically acclaimed "Carla and the Christmas Cornbread," a heartwarming tale of young Carla, who eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa on the night before Christmas and tries to make it right. Hall’s cookbook, "Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration," landed on annual "Best Cookbook" lists across the country and received an NAACP Image Awards nomination.

She first won over audiences when she competed on Bravo’s "Top Chef" and "Top Chef: All Stars" and shared her philosophy to always cook with love. She believes food connects everyone, and she strives to communicate this through her work, cooking, and daily interactions with others.

Born in Nashville, TN, Hall grew up surrounded by soul food. When the time came for her to select her career path, she first opted for a business route – graduating from Howard University’s Business School and working as an accountant for two years – before deciding to switch gears to work as a runway model. It was during that time, as she traveled and tasted her way through Europe, that she truly realized her deep passion for food could be her career path.

Hall is very active with several charities and not-for-profit organizations that reflect her passion for causes close to her heart. She is on the Board of Trustees for Helen Keller International, Pajama Program, GenYouth, and 4H. The thread that runs through all of these is advocating for the physical and mental well-being of children. Hall also volunteers time for other non-profit organizations such as The James Beard Foundation, FEED America, Jacques Pepin Foundation, The Smithsonian Institutes and their membership of museums, and many others. In 2024, Hall was honored by Les Dames d’Escoffier as Grande Dame, a lifetime achievement award and honorary title given to members in recognition of extraordinary contributions within the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.