Chef, Best Selling Author, and Television Host
Carla Hall: Biography at a Glance
- Carla Hall stars across Food Network's linear and digital programming, taking part in Halloween Baking Championship, Holiday Baking Championship, Worst Cooks in America, and Food Network’s Kitchen app.
- She can also currently be seen hosting the MAX Original, Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall as she travels around the world to track down the unexpected lineage of dishes we think are quintessentially American.
- Carla was the former co-host of ABC’s Emmy award-winning, popular lifestyle series The Chew, and appeared on ABC’s Strahan and Sara.
- Her podcast, Say Yes! with Carla Hall, features conversations with people who have found success all while overcoming personal and professional challenges.
- Her latest book, Carla Hall's Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, takes us back to her Nashville roots to offer a fresh look at America’s favorite comfort cuisine and the rich history behind it.
- Carla cultivates audiences with discussing “Discovering Your Authentic Self”, “Finding My Roots Through Food” and “Growth and Transformation Through Facing Your Fears”.
Media
- Official Site
- Book: Carla Hall's Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration
- Book: Cooking with Love
- NY Times: For Carla Hall, It’s Been a Bumpy Climb to a ‘Top Chef’ Life
- Washington Post: Carla Hall is ‘the most visible black person in food.’ Now she...
- People: Carla Hall Talks Menopause, Rejecting Botox, and Being Excited to Turn 6...
- Podcast: Say Yes! with Carla Hall
- Chef Carla Hall On Being A Black Woman In A White Man's Industry
Videos
Biography
Chef, best-selling author and television personality Carla Hall has been entertaining audiences with her enthusiasm for life and warm personality for years.
Having spent 7 years co-hosting ABC’s Emmy award winning, popular lifestyle series The Chew, Carla 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.
Carla 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, Carla 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). And, 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 you kitchen items that are useful, reliable, and 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 and built to last.
This year she launched a digital magazine, Sweet Heritage. Hall brings her engaging spirit and curiosity to this biannual publication (January and July issues). Blending heartfelt storytelling, expert insights, and Hall’s passion for food, Sweet Heritage is more than a collection of recipes - it’s 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 (Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster), 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.
Carla’s cookbook, Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, landed on annual “Best Cookbook” lists across the country and receiving 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 us all, and she strives to communicate this through her work, her cooking, and in her daily interactions with others.
Born in Nashville, TN, Carla grew up surrounded by soul food. When the time came for her to select her career path, she first opted for a business route – she graduated from Howard University’s Business School and worked 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 ate) her way through Europe, that she truly realized her deep passion for food could be her career path.
Carla is very active with a number of 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 which runs through all of these things is advocating for the physical and mental well-being of children.
Carla also volunteers time to promote 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, Carla is being honored by Les Dames d’Escoffier as Grande Dame, a lifetime achievement award and honorary title is given to members in recognition of extraordinary contributions within the fields of food, beverage and hospitality.
Carla lives in D.C. with her husband, Matthew Lyons.
Topics
Discovering Your Authentic Self
Carla Hall’s ever-evolving career, from accountant to runway model to celebrity chef, is proof positive that it’s never about the destination, but always about the journey. Recently hailed in the Washington Post as “the most visible black person in food”, Hall is using the popularity she gained as a “Top Chef” fan favorite and co-host of the Emmy Award-winning television show “The Chew”, along with her entrepreneurial experiences, to build a brand that is grounded in authenticity. Using her guiding principle, “Say ‘yes’, adventure follows, then growth”, Hall believes that following our instincts leads us to opportunities we might never have imagined. Audiences will tap into their own authentic selves as Hall shares both the triumphs — and missteps — that kept her on the path to being true to herself.
Food DNA: Finding My Roots Through Food
For Carla Hall, two time “Top Chef” finalist, discovering her DNA history was an important part of understanding family lineage that had previously been lost to slavery. An unexpected bonus was insight to her own food cravings and palate. The table is traditionally a place where people come together to share their similarities, and in America our diversity of food traditions also makes the table a place where we can celebrate our differences. Carla will share stories from her journey across the Southern states to learn the American food traditions shaped by the African Diaspora. These food stories allow Carla to illustrate that by understanding how African American contributions are bigger than what they were given credit for, African American students can begin to own these stories and create opportunities for themselves.
Scare Me: Growth and Transformation Through Facing Your Fears
Carla Hall does…..comedy? Okay, maybe the beloved host of “The Chew” is better known for her mouth-watering Southern cooking and warm personality, but performing stand-up is only the latest in a long line of fears she has faced, simply to challenge herself. Why? Because facing fears spurs growth and inspires transformation -- both things that have, ultimately, driven the success of this two-time “Top Chef” finalist who won over audiences to become Fan Favorite. Fear of failure threatened to keep Carla from achieving goals such as interviewing her childhood idol, Carol Burnett, or from serving the dish that won her the most praise as a “Top Chef” competitor. But the practice of repeatedly doing things that are scary has allowed her to stockpile an array of tools which she draws from during difficult times, stimulating personal growth and professional success. Audiences will witness Carla scare herself — live— with a comedy set and learn ways to map out their own fear-facing adventures.
People also viewed these speakers.
FAQs
How do I book Carla Hall for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Carla Hall to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Carla Hall's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Carla Hall’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Carla Hall in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Carla Hall's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Carla Hall's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Carla Hall, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Carla Hall's speaking fee?
Carla Hall's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Carla Hall's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Carla Hall's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Carla Hall as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Carla Hall as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Carla Hall's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Carla Hall's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Carla Hall for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Carla Hall speaking engagements.
Official contact for Carla Hall bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/carla-hall
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Carla Hall.
Is Carla Hall available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Carla Hall speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Carla Hall's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Carla Hall's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Carla Hall's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Carla Hall for?
Book Carla Hall for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Carla Hall customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Carla Hall engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Carla Hall can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Carla Hall booking information and availability
Check Carla Hall's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Carla Hall for your preferred event date.
Book Carla Hall keynote speaker through CAA
Book Carla Hall through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Carla Hall, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Carla Hall's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Carla Hall for your next event.
Will Carla Hall speak at private events?
Yes, Carla Hall speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Carla Hall's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Carla Hall?
CAA Speakers responds to Carla Hall booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Carla Hall?
Book Carla Hall 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Carla Hall pricing information?
Get Carla Hall pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.