Shirley Chung of top chef ‘so positive’ amid the battle against cancer
‘Top Chef’ alum Shirley Chung shaved her head after she was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer.
July 31, 2024, published at 7:37 PM ET
Lover Top chef alumnus Shirley Chung, owner of the wildly popular Ms. Chi Café in Culver City, Southern California, is closing its restaurant after being diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer.
RadarOnline.com can exclusively share that both staff and customers are calling Chung’s announcement about her health “bittersweet” and “sad.”
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Ms Chi Café waitress Michelle said despite the restaurant’s closure, everyone is just focused on Chung’s recovery.
Chung explained that she learned about the diagnosis after she severely bit her tongue and broke her tooth, which she subsequently had to have extracted.
In a separate Instagram update, Chung and her husband, Jimmy Lee, Ms. Chi’s manager, shared the sad news: “In light of Chef Shirley’s diagnosis, we have made the difficult decision to close Ms. Chi Café, so she can focus on recovery.”
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The post was accompanied by a video and photos of Chung along with Lee and other staff members shaving her head.
A few days before closing time, the restaurant was full during lunch, both inside and on the terrace. A Mrs. Chi waitress named Michelle told RadarOnline.com exclusively about Chung’s choice to cut her hair.
The waitress revealed: “She was so happy, she was joking about it and stuff, but she’s amazing.”
Speaking about her boss’ diagnosis, she added: “We are all sad. It’s very bittersweet. We only hope the best for her and focus on her recovery.”
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Shou Zhang (left) and her friend drove all the way from East to West Los Angeles to try chef Shirley Chung’s famous food.
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‘She’s just a sweetheart. She’s just so positive, so holy. Like, you can’t even tell she’s going through it [cancer].”
The waitress also praised Lee, saying, “I’ve been working here for five years, which shows how great she is, Jimmy, and what it’s like to work here.”
Lee, who was overwhelmed by waiting tables, simply smiled and told us, “I think her post says it all.”
In the somber social media post, Chung, 47, shared that she initially thought her problems stemmed from her being a “heavy teeth grinder.”
However, in late May, Chung said her mouth “erupted” with sores.
“My dental surgeon discovered a hidden tumor under my tongue. A few days later I was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer as the cancer cells also spread to my lymph nodes.”
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Shirley Chung is known for her Chinese-American dishes – and in particular her incredible dumplings.
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The Chinese-American chef said she was “very calm” when doctors delivered the news: “As a chef, I have always thrived under pressure. I was very focused on getting all the tests and scans in as quickly as possible so that I can start the treatment plans.”
She revealed that surgeons said one option was to remove her tongue completely, which would give her the highest survival rate: “I broke down, cried… tried to gather my thoughts….”
However, the surgeon then told her: “There is another option, which is a unicorn case. At the University of Chicago they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo.”
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Shirley Chung’s Ms Chi Café was packed to the brim days before closing.
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After telling Chung she needed to go to Chicago for treatment, she said, “Higher chance of survival, or shut up? I chose to keep my mouth shut. I’m a fighter, I’m a chef, I can be that unicorn too.”
At the time of her post, Chung said she had completed six weeks chemotherapy (with many more weeks to go) and that she was “going to the hospital four times a week for injections.”
She added: “My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better and I can now eat most normal foods.”
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In the announcement confirming the closure of their restaurant, the couple stated: “We are incredibly grateful to all of you: our employees, supporters and fans.”
“We have really enjoyed spreading the dumpling love and calling Culver City our home over the past few years! Please come by, say hello and enjoy our menu before we close.”
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People did just that. Among them was Chinese-American Shou Zhang who drove from East Los Angeles to West Los Angeles for her first – and last – meal at the restaurant.
A “big” fan of Chung from her Top chef days, Zhang told RadarOnline.com: “I’m also Chinese. I was born in China. So it was really great to see mainland Chinese food represented on such a big platform.”
Zhang follows Chung on Instagram and said it was “shocking” when she heard about her diagnosis, “because I know how much she loves cooking, food and this place.”
Zhang’s assessment of the food? “As a Chinese you see how much care is given to the meat and you immediately see that the pickled vegetables are homemade.”
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She also noted that what she “really likes” about Chung is “nothing can faze her.”
Waitress Michelle echoed that sentiment. Even though she doesn’t have a new job lined up yet, she remained positive, saying: “I think we’re more concerned about [Chung’s] recovery.
“I hope she gets better, and we’ll see what comes of that. Who knows? Maybe she’ll make a comeback.”
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