Sharing the news via social media on Friday, July 26, Chung, 47, detailed receiving the diagnosis after an oral surgeon found a “hidden tumor” under her tongue in May.
‘a series of dental issues’ were her first clue something was wrong
Chef Shirley Chung, a two-time finalist on the cooking show Top Chef, has been diagnosed with tongue cancer and is undergoing intensive treatment for the disease. The chef and owner of Ms Chi Cafe, who placed third on Top Chef: New Orleans and was runner-up three years later on Top Chef: Charleston, shared the news on Instagram over the weekend alongside a series of photos and videos that show her shaving her head with the help of loved ones.
Chung revealed in the caption of the post that her tumor is shrinking with the help of chemotherapy sessions, but noted that she has “many more to go.” She shared in a separate Instagram post that she would be pausing the operation of her restaurant so that she could focus on her treatment and recovery.
Chung credited her husband, Jimmy, for “holding it together for both of us,” as well as pushing back on a total removal of Chung’s tongue. Thankfully, the pair were told of a “unicorn case” from the University of Chicago that managed to cure a fellow chef through radiation and chemotherapy.
“Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue? I chose to keep my tongue, I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too,” Chung wrote.
“I was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, I’ve always thrive under pressure,” she continued. “I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans.”
However, when her doctor called on June 2 to discuss her treatment options, Chung “broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldn’t.”
“All I heard was ‘option 1, surgery, 100% removal of your tongue’ … Jimmy was holding it together for both of us, asking if we have any option that I can keep my tongue and the survival rates,” she said.
“My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better and I can eat most normal food now,” Shirley said in her post. “I am learning to lean on others, to let go, to be more vulnerable. I am learning, I can be strong 98% of the time, it’s ok to be not ok.”
Looking at the “tough long road to recovery in front of me,” the chef added to her followers, “Cheer me on, Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025!”
To focus on her health, Shirley and husband Jimmy Lee made the difficult decision to close their Los Angeles-based restaurant Ms Chi Café.
In the comments, Chung received tons of well wishes from fans and fellow celebrity chefs as she continues her cancer journey.
Delicious Miss Brown host Kardea Brown wrote, “We met you the day before you received you treatment plan…..but we had no clue about the battle you were fighting. You cooked for us that night and had the biggest smile on your face the entire time 🥹……Shirley that speaks volumes about your character! We are praying for you and thanking God in advance for remission and total healing! We love you ❤️”