TV personality, food journalist and former model Kelly Choi will receive the 3rd Annual HBA “Positively Beautiful” Award from HBA Global Expo for her active support of Angelwish and Citymeals-on-Wheels and their missions to help chronically ill children and homebound elderly.
“I’m excited to have such successful relationships with these amazing organizations in order to help educate the new generation on important issues that hit home for me,” said Choi.
The Positively Beautiful Award was established by HBA Global to annually recognize a celebrity who uses their name and talents to further a cause that champions inner beauty and self-esteem building. The Award Presentation will be part of the events Keynote and Kick-off Presentation on Tuesday, June 28th starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Special Events Hall at the Javits Center in New York. HBA Global Expo & Conference is the largest product development event for the cosmetic, fragrance, skin care, personal care, and well-being industries.
Korean American Kelly Choi began her media career by winning the Elite Modeling Agency’s “Look of the Year” contest. Choi began her television work as a VJ for MTV Korea, as well as an entertainment reporter on the TV Guide Channel.
Her parents owned a grocery store, helping to stimulate an early interest in food which she leveraged into a successful career as host of Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters. She also hosted the USA finals of Bocuse d’OR, a prestigious culinary competition held in Lyon, France, every two years and the James Beard Media Awards ceremony. Choi has also appeared as a judge for Iron Chef America and Master Chef.
Currently she is creator, producer and host of New York’s premier restaurant shows, “EAT OUT New York,” and “Very Appetizing with Kelly Choi”. These weekly shows on NYC Life feature and highlight this city’s restaurants and their chefs. Choi’s shows premiering this week include “Late Night Kung Fu” on Fuel TV and “Secrets of New York” on NYC Life.
In addition to her work with Angelwish and Citymeals-on-Wheels, Choi also supports and hosts charity events for diabetes research, New York Cares, and Animal Care and Control in New York City. She has a Masters of Science from Columbia University in New York.
Kelly Choi was born in Seoul on February 7, 1976. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was a pre-schooler. Her height of 5-10 and good looks allowed her to enjoy a successful modeling career with Elite Models before she began her graduate studies. She also worked as a VJ for MTV Korea in her early years.
Choi co-produced the first season and hosted all 18 episodes of the PBS documentary series Secrets of New York. Choi also created and produces Eat Out NY. She has appeared in other specials and programs at NYC TV involving food.
In 2006 Choi became a popular daytime Tri-State TV personality due to a content-sharing arrangement between NYC TV and NBC’s flagship station WNBC.
Choi has received multiple local Emmy nominations from the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2009 she won a New York Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for her show Eat Out NY.
