Food Network Star Esther Choi Is Pregnant with Her First Child

Esther Choi is expecting her first baby boy!

The celebrity chef shared the news on Instagram just days after Lunar New Year. “Officially “Mother of Dragon,” Choi wrote, referencing this year being the year of the dragon. “I have done a lot of difficult things in my life… but becoming a mother, not an easy feat. Truly amazed by all the amazing moms out there. It has been an incredibly difficult but really beautiful journey. I still can’t believe it,” she wrote.

In photos accompanying the post, the Iron Chef: Quest for a Legend star dons a bump-baring black lace dress with leather boots. While not named in the post or revealed elsewhere, the third photo in Choi’s carousel presumably features the baby’s father cradling her bump.

Friends, fans and fellow chefs like Adam Richman and Sam Talbot sent their congratulations to the Food Network star in the comments. “YES MOTHER,” wrote New York Times best-selling cookbook author Sohla El-Waylly. “Omg!!! I’m so happy for you. You look stunning!! Big Congrats” added Chopped champion Suchanan Aksornnan.

The host of the Hot Ones spin-off Heat Eaters hasn’t been alone in her path to motherhood so far. Shortly after posting her announcement, Choi reposted maternity photos shot with her sister Jen—who is also pregnant—on her Instagram story. “Sista, sista, 28 weeks vs 37 weeks, boy vs girl,” she captioned a photo of her and Jen side by side, presumably revealing her baby’s gender. “Can’t wait for that glass of wine together,” the two joked.

Our congratulations to Choi on her exciting news!