Star of “Next Level Baker” and “The Chew,” Carla Hall exemplifies a bold career evolution.


Carla Hall embraces change wholeheartedly. This award-winning author and television personality has crafted an impressive career by pivoting, acquiring new skills, and following her passion.

A Dream Realized After Five Years

Next June, Hall's most significant dream will unfold: her one-woman show, “Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me,” premieres at the Olney Theatre in Maryland from June 3 to July 12. This 80-minute performance narrates Hall's life story through a cooking show format.

For Hall, this moment completes a circle, recalling her childhood in Nashville, Tennessee, where she aspired to be “the black Carol Burnett.” As with many of her achievements, Hall discovered how to make it happen by discussing her dream and penning her script, even when initial interest was lacking.

“Often, when you voice your dreams, people say it just happened. No,” Hall asserts. “Sometimes, you need to host a party to get your house in order. You know what I mean?”

A Career Fueled by Passionate Pivots

Initially, Hall aimed to study performing arts in college but was deferred from Boston University's theater program.

“I felt rejected by theater. I liked my accounting teacher, so I went with accounting,” Hall shared, following her sister to Howard University. She worked at Price Waterhouse for two years but felt unfulfilled.

“I feared being 40 and disliking my job,” Hall reflected. “Many stick with what they know, but my spirit knew it couldn't endure a job that didn't excite me.”

This fear spurred her next adventure: a trip to Paris, where she initially explored modeling. This experience ignited her culinary passion, leading her to buy cookbooks and tackle recipes like puzzles.

Upon returning to the U.S., she launched a catering business and studied at L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland. She then transitioned to restaurant work while keeping her inquisitive spirit alive.

The Adventurer: An Enneagram Seven

Carla Hall identifies as a “seven on the Enneagram,” symbolizing the adventurer. This quality has shaped her career journey.

One notable adventure involved allowing a friend to sign her up for Match.com at 42, using the username “Scrabble Girl” to attract the right match. It worked; her first match was Matthew Lyons, and they tied the knot in 2006.

Lyons encouraged Hall to audition for “Top Chef.” Although she didn't win, it opened many doors, leading to a hosting role on the ABC daytime series “The Chew” for seven seasons.

Insights Gained from “The Chew”

Hosting a daytime talk show alongside Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Daphne Oz, and Clinton Kelly posed challenges. After the first season, she received feedback suggesting she improve her performance through media training.

Despite her efforts, she felt overlooked and denied growth opportunities.

One painful incident involved Gladys Knight guesting to cook smothered chicken. Hall hoped to co-host the segment but was overlooked. This prompted her to discuss her concerns with the executive producer.

She expressed, “If you didn’t consider me for this, I want to cook with Gladys Knight because I’m from the South and share her background. That’s a failing on your part. If there’s a reason you didn’t include me and didn’t share it, that’s also your failure.” Hall committed to being candid, saying everything she needed to, regardless of the outcome.

After that conversation, she felt her performance on the show improved significantly.

Embracing Ownership with “Chewed Up”

After seven successful seasons, “The Chew” ended in 2018, but Hall, Symon, and Kelly maintain close ties. This year, they launched a podcast and YouTube series called “Chewed Up,” a nod to their experiences on the previous show.

This project marks another leap for Hall; the trio is self-funding it, alongside a production company.

“We create 30-minute episodes three times a week. It’s a blast. We agreed to give it six months to see if it works. If it doesn’t, no harm done,” Hall stated.

Carla Hall appreciates the autonomy and creative freedom this venture provides. “If networks pick it up, I’m out,” she jokes. “I don’t want a bunch of bosses.”

The MeMenu: A Commitment to Self-Investment

Hall's significant project, The MeMenu, reflects her passion for teaching and sharing experiences. This online coaching platform, developed with executive coach Deborah E. Riegel, targets women, particularly those over 50, who Hall believes need more enthusiasm for life.

“We’ve prioritized everyone else—family, jobs—but often neglect ourselves,” Hall noted. This program aids women in identifying their strengths and designing new paths.

Hall encourages new users to view the platform as a personal investment. “Remember, it’s about you. What you put in is what you’ll get out. I often remind myself: Am I too busy for my own needs?”

As Hall prepares to take the stage solo next summer, sharing her journey, she recognizes her greatest strengths: a willingness to learn, the drive to uplift others, and the instinct to leap while trusting she’ll find her way.