Anne Burrell, 'Worst Cooks in America' host dies at 55: Internet mourns the culinary star with heartfelt tribute
It's still sinking in: Anne Burrell—the fiery chef with larger-than-life presence—has died at just 55. The news broke early Tuesday when police responded to her Brooklyn home and found her unresponsive.
She was later pronounced dead. Neither the police nor her family have revealed a cause, and an autopsy is reportedly underway
Anne became a household name thanks to her two-decade Food Network career. You first might've spotted her as Mario Batali's sous-chef on Iron Chef America back in the early 2000s. She then hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef for nine solid seasons before launching into TV legend territory as the host—and heart—of Worst Cooks in America, leading 27 seasons through 2024
Her culinary journey
Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, NY, Anne grew up surrounded by home cooking—her mom, Marlene, ran a flower shop and cooked the kind of family meals people still talk about. She studied English and communications at Canisius College before trading the corporate world for the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996. Then she went international, training in Italy and later sharpening her skills at high-end NYC restaurants like Felidia and Savoy
Her energy was infectious.
As Frank Bruni, the New York Times food critic, once wrote: 'Anytime Anne Burrell gets near hot oil, I want to be around'. That charisma translated seamlessly to TV, from Iron Chef America to Chopped All-Stars, Beat Bobby Flay, Chef Wanted, House of Knives, and countless guest spots.
Her cookbooks—Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower—weren't just recipe collections; they were invitations: daring, encouraging, empowering. 'Cooking is fun,' she reminded people, undercutting the cooking-show intimidation factor and offering a welcoming hand to novices
Beyond television, Anne's air of generosity extended into real-world impact. She championed the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and supported City Harvest to fight food insecurity
Tributes pour in
Tweets, Instagram posts, and headlines filled with shock and affection poured in as the news broke.
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Food Network's message hit hard: 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.'
Fellow Food Network stars had giant words for her. Robert Irvine, her co-host and friendly rival on Worst Cooks, called her 'a radiant spirit who lit up every room… an epic wager that epitomized her unbeatable spirit'.
Carla Hall praised her as an 'incredible cook & teacher'. Aarón Sánchez recounted her fire, talent, leadership, and laughter—calling her laugh 'unforgettable'. Others like Ming Tsai, Sandra Lee, Stephanie Izard, and Chris Valdes echoed the message: we lost a bright, bright light.
She is survived by her husband of almost four years, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier Claxton, along with her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane.
'I used to call Her flame head'
'a legend has left us'
"my 13 year old heart is broken'
Now, the food world loses a mentor, a storyteller, a fierce friend. The cameras are off, but her legacy lives in homes she inspired to cook, charities she uplifted, competitions she shaped, and the laughter she sparked along the way.
As the tributes keep flowing in, one thing's crystal‑clear: Anne Burrell was more than a chef. She was a force, a teacher, a heartbeat in our cooking journeys. The oven's off, but her flame still warms us—every time we step into the kitchen with a fearless attitude, a fired-up spirit, and the desire to make something nourishing. She'd expect nothing less.
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