Cat Cora

Bon Appétit Executive Chef

Both on-screen and off-screen, Chef Cat Cora has continued to make a lasting impression on the culinary community. In 2005, Cat made television history on Food Network's Iron Chef America as the first and only female Iron Chef, and in November 2006 Bon Appétit magazine bestowed her with their Teacher of the Year Award. That month, she was also honored with another great culinary distinction when she was named Executive Chef of the magazine.

In December 2008, Cat launched CCQ (Cat Cora’s Que) at Macy’s new Signature Kitchen restaurant in California’s South Coast Plaza location. Inspired by her own unique barbeque traditions, Cat designed CCQ as a fast casual concept that defines her passion for global BBQ, offering various sauces and flavors. She also opened Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen”) at Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Resort in 2009. Kouzzina will offer a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the Cat’s Greek roots.

She has also authored two cookbooks, Cat Cora’s Kitchen and Cooking From The Hip: Fast, Easy, Phenomenal Meals.

Outside of the kitchen, Cat is known for her philanthropy. She is President and Founder of Chefs for Humanity, an organization which was founded in response to the 2004 Tsunami disaster.