Born:
May 12, 1964
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Trivia:
Painfully shy as a child, she was enrolled in an acting camp by her mother at age 11, and quickly became hooked. At 5-foot-11, she worked as a model in Europe, where she discovered her passion for cooking. Classically trained at the L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Md., which she attended while running her own lunchtime catering business. A fan favorite during Season 5 of Top Chef, she spawned a memorable catchphrase with her "hootie-hoo" call. Released her first cookbook, Cooking With Love: Comfort Foods That Hug You, in November 2012. Owns Carla Hall Petite Cookies, an artisan cookie company based in Silver Spring, Md.