Cat Cora facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cat Cora

Cora in April 2010
Born	(1967-04-03) April 3, 1967 (age 58) United States
Cooking style	Mediterranean (Greek), Fusion ("Hellasian"), French
Education	University of Southern Mississippi Culinary Institute of America
Spouse	Jennifer Cora ​ ​ (m. 2013; div. 2015)​ Nicole Ehrlich ​ ​ (m. 2018; div. 2021)​
Current restaurant(s) Cat Cora's Que, Costa Mesa, CA (2008–present), Cat Cora's Kitchen, San Francisco, CA (2011–present),
Previous restaurant(s) Kouzzina by Cat Cora, Orlando, Florida (2009–2014), * Cat Cora's Kitchen, Atlanta, Georgia (2016–2020)
Television show(s) Iron Chef America, Tournament of Champions, Kitchen Accomplished, Melting Pot, "MasterChef"

Catherine Ann Cora (born April 3, 1967) is a famous American chef, TV star, and author. She is well known for being an "Iron Chef" on the show Iron Chef America. She also co-hosted Around the World in 80 Plates.

Cat Cora's Early Life and Education

Cat Cora was born on April 3, 1967. She grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, with her adoptive parents, Virginia Lee and Spiro "Pete" Cora. Her adoptive father had Greek family roots.

Both her grandfather and father owned restaurants. When Cat was 15, she already had a business idea. She knew her family could help her make it happen.

Cat first studied Exercise Physiology and Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi. After that, she went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She finished her culinary studies in 1995.

Becoming a TV Star

Cat Cora first appeared on TV in 1999. She co-hosted a Food Network show called Melting Pot. In 2001, she was in a TV series called My Country, My Kitchen.

She also appeared on Simplify Your Life in 2002. Later, in 2004, she co-hosted Kitchen Accomplished on Food Network.

Iron Chef America

In 2005, Cat Cora made TV history. She became the first female Iron Chef on Food Network's Iron Chef America. She joined other famous chefs like Bobby Flay and Mario Batali. Cat was on the show for 10 seasons.

In 2008, she even lent her voice to the video game Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine.

Other TV Shows

Cat Cora co-hosted Around the World in 80 Plates. This reality competition show started in 2012 on Bravo.

In 2017, she co-hosted the FOX cooking series My Kitchen Rules. Cat also competed in Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions in 2021.

Cat Cora's Restaurants

Cat Cora has opened several restaurants. In 2008, she opened Cat Cora's Que (CCQ) in Costa Mesa, California.

Many airports across the United States have her restaurants. These include Cat Cora's Kitchen and Cat Cora's Gourmet Markets. They opened in 2011 and 2012. You can find them at airports like George Bush International Airport in Houston and San Francisco International Airport.

One of her restaurants, Cat Cora's Kitchen, is a bar and lounge. It opened at San Francisco International Airport in 2011. Another Cat Cora's Kitchen opened at Bush Intercontinental Airport later that year.

Cat Cora also operated Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney's BoardWalk Resort in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. This restaurant closed in 2014.

In 2013, she opened The Ocean Restaurant in Singapore. This restaurant is special because it's inside the world's largest oceanarium.

Since 2016, Cat Cora has worked with Aramark. She helps provide food options in many places. These include businesses, universities, and hospitals. Her brands for this partnership are Olilo and Wicked Eats. By 2022, there were over 500 Olilo locations in the U.S.

She is also an Executive Chef for Bon Appétit magazine.

Active Restaurants

Closed Restaurants

Partnerships and Business Ventures

Cat Cora's Kitchen, a restaurant at Terminal E of George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Cat Cora has written cookbooks. Her first one, Cat Cora's Kitchen (2004), was inspired by her Greek family and Southern upbringing. It includes many of her family's favorite recipes.

She has worked with different companies. In 2008, she partnered with Macy's to open Cat Cora's Que. In 2010, she worked with Disney on webisodes called The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora.

Cat also launched her own line of cookware in 2011. This was with Starfrit, a company known for kitchen products. She is part of Macy's Culinary Council, working with other chefs like Tyler Florence.

In 2014, Cat Cora launched her own brand of hummus. You can find it in H-E-B grocery stores in Texas.

Helping Others

Cat Cora has used her fame to help others. She was a spokesperson for UNICEF, an organization that helps children worldwide. She also took part in charity wine auctions.

In 2005, after a big earthquake and tsunami, Cat Cora co-founded Chefs For Humanity. This group of chefs and food experts helps people in need. They raise money and provide food education and aid around the world.

Awards and Achievements

Cat Cora has received several important awards for her work.

• In 2006, Bon Appetit magazine gave her the Teacher of the Year Award.
• On July 12, 2015, she was honored by The American Culinary Federation. She was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs® (AAC®) Hall of Fame. She was the first female chef to receive this special recognition.

Personal Life

Cat Cora married Jennifer in June 2013. They had four sons together. Their marriage ended in 2016.

In 2017, Cat Cora started dating Nicole Ehrlich. They got married on April 21, 2018. Nicole Ehrlich filed for divorce from Cora in April 2021.

Filmography