Fatima Ali’s Top Chef Family Responds to Her James Beard Win

Bravo's Top Chef Season 15's Fan Favorite winner Fatima Ali won a James Beard award posthumously on April 27, after losing her battle with cancer on January 25 at age 29.

Chef Fati's loved ones, who maintain her Instagram account, shared the news of her honor on social media along with an emotional message. Support from Fati's Top Chef family poured in within the widespread outpouring of emotion in the comment section.

Host Padma Lakshmi, who previously explained why she was so hard on Fati in competition, wrote, "I couldn't be more proud of her."

Chef Adrienne Cheatham, among the finalists on Fati's Top Chef season — and who dined with Fati as she checked off her restaurant bucket list — wrote, "A well deserved honor for an amazing woman. You are missed."

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Another fellow Season 15 competitor, Chris Scott, wrote, "Absolutely an inspiration for us all. Her message and energy in this world touched us all. You are missed my friend. Congratulations to you and your family on this win."

Tanya Holland was in the room to witness Fati's posthumous honor, and wrote, "Witnessing my friend's win was amazing."

Tu David Phu wrote, "We love you Fati. You deserve nothing less."

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And Tyler Anderson wrote simply, "Congrats my friend. We miss you."  

Chef Fati won the award for the moving essay she wrote for Bon Appétit, published on the website on the day she passed away to honor her memory. In it, the shared her signature optimism, curiosity, and humor, even in the face of a grave diagnosis.