How ‘Worst Cooks in America' paid tribute to Anne Burrell after her tragic death
The Food Network series paid tribute to the late chef during Monday night's Season 29 premiere, which filmed before Burrell died at age 55 last month.
At the end of the episode, a photo of Burrell appeared on the screen alongside the words, 'In Memoriam, Anne Burrell, 1969-2025.'
8 The 'Worst Cooks in America' tribute to Anne Burrell during the Season 29 premiere.
Discovery
8 'Worst Cooks in America' shared a crisis hotline message on the show.
Discovery
The show also shared a crisis hotline message that read, 'If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.'
Burrell died by suicide in her Brooklyn home on June 17. Police responded to a 911 call from Burrell's residence for a reported cardiac arrest and discovered her 'unconscious and unresponsive.'
Sources told The Post that Burrell's body was found next to dozens of pills.
8 Anne Burrell during the Food Network and Cooking Channel New York City Wine and Food Festival in 2019.
Getty Images for NYCWFF
The New York City medical examiner's office specified Burrell's cause of death as 'acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine.'
The Food Network recently confirmed to People that 'Worst Cooks in America' will pay tribute to Burrell 'each week' during Season 29, which she's hosting with Gabriele Bertaccini.
8 Jeff Mauro and Anne Burrell on 'Worst Cooks in America' Season 23.
Jason DeCrow
8 Anne Burrell at a screening of 'Julia' in New York City in Nov. 2021.
Madison McGaw/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Bertaccini, 39, told TV Insider last week about one of his final interactions with Burrell while filming Season 29.
'It was the finale. Everyone is tired. Weeks and weeks have gone by. We are celebrating the end of the shoot, and I get really sick,' Bertaccini explained. 'I had this cold. I felt like crap. We go through the production meeting, and Anne hands me this card. It said, 'I hope you feel better.' In the card, there is this cute little heart that she crocheted. She loved to knit. She would do that while waiting for shooting time. This was relaxing to her.'
8 Gabe Bertaccini and Anne Burrell on 'Worst Cooks in America' Season 29.
Food Network
'It was such a beautiful gesture and completely unnecessary,' the Italian chef added. 'That's exactly who Anne was. It's a great memory that I'll be taking with me.'
Burrell starred in the first 27 seasons of the show but took a break from Season 28 to focus on other endeavors.
'I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like,' she shared on Tori Spelling's 'misSPELLING' podcast in March.
Burrell explained that she started taking improv acting classes and teased she was working on other projects at the time.
8 Anne Burrell on Food Network's 'Guy's Grocery Games.'
Food Network
After her passing, a representative from Food Network told The Post: '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. Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.'
Friends of Burrell's from her time on the channel also spoke out after her passing.
Beau MacMillan, who co-hosted Season 1 of 'Worst Cooks in America' with Burrell, told The Post last month, 'The news hit me like a gut punch. Anne was bigger than life, whether she was running a kitchen or filming a show, you knew she was in charge.'
8 Anne Burrell on 'Worst Cooks in America.'
Instagram/@officialworstcooks
'One of the most beloved icons of our industry, she inspired millions of people,' MacMillan expressed. 'She was smart, talented and so much fun to be around. She has left us way too soon.'
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