Sandra Lee (chef)

Sandra Lee (chef)[edit | edit source]

Sandra Lee (born July 3, 1966) is an American television chef and author. She is known for her "Semi-Homemade" cooking concept, which she featured in her shows on the Food Network.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Lee was born as Sandra Lee Waldroop in Santa Monica, California. She was raised in Sumner, Washington, by her mother and stepfather, both of whom had health issues. This led to Lee taking on cooking and household responsibilities at a young age.

Career[edit | edit source]

Lee's career began in the early 1990s with her creation of a product called "Sandra Lee Kraft Kurtains", a home-decorating tool. This led to appearances on QVC, where she sold her product.

In 2003, Lee's cooking show, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, premiered on the Food Network. The show was based on her cooking philosophy of using 70% pre-packaged products and 30% fresh items to create meals.

In addition to her television show, Lee has written numerous books. Her first book, Semi-Homemade Cooking, was released in 2002. She has since published several more books, including Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes and Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Grilling.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Lee was in a long-term relationship with Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York. They began dating in 2005 and ended their relationship in 2019. Lee is also a survivor of breast cancer, having been diagnosed in 2015 and undergoing a double mastectomy.

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

Lee has received numerous awards for her work in the culinary field. She won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host for Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee in 2012. She has also been recognized for her work in raising awareness for hunger and nutrition issues.