Cora was born in Jackson, Mississippi, the daughter of Virginia Lee (née Brothers) and Spiro Pete Cora. Her father was of Greek descent (her paternal grandparents were from Skopelos, Greece). When she was 15 years old, she brought a business plan to her father and grandfather, knowing they could help her.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi, she enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New New York
She has also appeared on Simplify Your Life. In January 2005 Cora co-founded Chefs Foreign Humanity, which describes itself as "a grassroots coalition of chefs and culinary professionals guided by a mission to quickly be able to raise funds and provide resources for important emergency and humanitarian aid, nutritional education, and hunger-related initiatives throughout the world." She has participated in charity wine auctions held by Auction Napa Valley. In 2006 she was hired as a paid spokesperson for InSinkErator Evolution series garbage disposals.
In March 2006, Cora was the Grand Marshal for Hal and Mal"s Saint Paddy"s Parade in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi.
In the September 2006 issue of FHM, Cora was featured in the cooking section, where she demonstrated various recipes using items purchased from a convenience store. Cat Cora also belongs to Macy"s Culinary Councils, along with Tyler Florence, Rick Bayless, and others
She has worked as an entertainer for The Olivia Companies, a travel company catering to the lesbian market. In 2008, she had a voice role for the video game Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine.
The eponymous Cat Cora, a new bar and lounge style restaurant, opened at Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in April 2011.
Later in 2011, a Cat Cora"s Kitchen was opened in Terminal East of the Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Cora also operated Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney"s Boardwalk Resort at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Kouzzina closed on September 30, 2014.
Cora opened The Ocean Restaurant at the South.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa off Singapore in February 2013.
The 63 seat restaurant is inside the world"s largest oceanarium and has stunning views of deep-sea wildlife from every table. Cora is currently the co-host of Around the World in 80 Plates, an American reality competition show that premiered on May 9, 2012 on the Bravo cable television network.
Founding member Chefs for Humanity, since 2004. Member of Screen Actors Guild.
Life partner Jennifer Cora. Children: Zoran, Caje.
