Anne Burrell dies at 55: Beloved Food Network star passes away

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

Beloved Food Network star Anne Burrell has died aged 55.
The TV chef - who became synonymous with her trademark spiky platinum hair - passed away on Tuesday morning at her home in Brooklyn, New York.
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement obtained by People.
'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.
'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.'
She is survived by husband Stuart Claxton, whom she wed in October 2021 in an autumn-themed ceremony and reception in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York.
Law enforcement told People that officers from NYPD's 76th Precinct responded to a call about 'an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female' at 7:50 a.m. EST on Tuesday.
Once Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived, they 'pronounced [Burrell] deceased on scene.'
Burrell's body will be autopsied by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, who will make the official determination about cause of death.
While cops did not name Burrell as the deceased in their statement, PEOPLE confirmed via an online search that the star's address matches the address that the police provided.
Heartbroken fans have already flooded to leave comments on her most recent Instagram post that was shared just four days ago.
'This can't be true. Chef Anne you were vivacious, hilarious, full of life and reminded me of my Mom. I'm so, so sorry. Rest with the Angels in Heaven and cook up a storm for us,' one wrote.
'Prayers for your family. This feels so unexpected!
'You were always one of our all time favorite chefs and seemed like a great person! I'm sure you'll be missed by many!' someone else shared.
'RIP ANNE! I can't believe this! We lost a good one!' one wrote.
'I was such a fan of you. I had been watching Worst Cooks for YEARS and just recently started watching newer seasons.
'I am so sad. May you rest in peace,' another penned.
Gigi Hadid, who famously appeared on the cooking competition series Beat Bobby Flay with Burrell, led the celebrities expressing their heartbreak over Burrell's death.
'I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell,' the supermodel, 30, began.
Hadid included a photo of herself and Burrell from their time filming Beat Bobby Flay back in 2023.
'As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat,' she recalled.
'I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.'
TV star Wells Adams, who appeared on season 19 of Worst Cooks in America with Burrell, also used Instagram to pay tribute.
He shared a photo from his time on the show with Burrell to his Story.
'I just heard about the passing of @chefanneburrell. I learned so much from you on Worst Cooks. I know you'll be cooking up a storm in heaven. RIP,' Adams captioned the post.
Restaurant: Impossible star Robert Irvine described his late friend Burrell as a 'radiant spirit' who 'will be deeply missed and never forgotten.'
'I am stunned and deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Anne Burrell,' Irvine began.
'Anne wasn't just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered. From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fueled by mutual respect: I'd risk bleaching my hair; she'd risk losing hers.
'An epic wager that epitomized her unbeatable spirit. It was a wager I ultimately lost, but I couldn't imagine losing to a more fierce competitor,' he wrote.
'Outside of Worst Cooks I came to know her as a generous and supportive colleague and an even better friend.
'I'll always remember her unwavering dedication, not just to food, but to lifting others up. She believed in nurturing culinary potential and celebrating small victories, whether in an amateur cook or on a charity fundraiser.
'That was Anne. Uncompromising in her standards, yet tender in her mentorship,' he gushed.
Then Irvine penned a message to Burrell's grieving family.
'To her husband Stuart, her stepson Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, and her many friends and fans: please know that Anne's warmth, vibrant spirit, and generous heart will echo in kitchens around the world and in our hearts forever.'
Irvine closed out the tribute with: 'Rest in peace, Chef. Your legacy as a champion of food, kindness, and empowerment will continue to inspire. Thank you for every lesson, every challenge, and every glorious moment. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. With all my love and respect, Robert Irvine'
Many stars reacted to the news of Burrell's death in the comment section of Food Network's tribute post on Instagram.
'We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning,' the network penned along with a photo of Burrell.'
'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,' the post concluded.
Chef Ming Tsai, who worked with Burrell at Food Network and appeared on The Next Iron Chef, called the news of Burrell's death 'so sad.'
'This is so so so so sad. We love a good one here.......' he wrote.
The Challenge: All Stars star Mark Long expressed his heartbreak as he recalled being paired with Burrell on a prior season of the celebrity edition of Worst Cooks in America.
'Chef Anne was my coach on Celebrity Worst Cooks. She made the experience so great for all of us. This is such tragic news and my heart goes out to the family,' he commented.
Chef Carla Hall, who previously appeared on Food Network's Top Chef, called Burrell an 'incredible cook and teacher.'
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley, who was a close friend of Burrell's, revealed that he spoke to her just days before her death.
He also shared a post to his own Instagram page which included a photo of him and Burrell.
'Rest easy, Chef Anne . I'm so blessed I was able to work with you, learn from you, laugh with you. So many memories - on screen and off - I cherish this photo of us living our best lives, as the kids say,' Kressley wrote.
'It's one of my favorite memories - just swimming in the ocean after a great lunch. Good food, good friends and lots of love and laughter all around.
'That's what I wish for you where you are now . I'll see you again someday, dear friend.'
To conclude the tribute, Kressley revealed that 'Anne loved this photo of us so I know she'd be happy I chose this one.'
Burrell's Food Network co-star Sandra Lee reacted to her sudden death in a heartfelt statement to Us Weekly.
Restaurant: Impossible star Robert Irvine described his late friend Burrell as a 'radiant spirit' who 'will be deeply missed and never forgotten'
Many stars reacted to the news of Burrell's death in the comment section of Food Network's tribute post on Instagram
Chef Ming Tsai, who worked with Burrell at Food Network and appeared on The Next Iron Chef, called the news of Burrell's death 'so sad'
The Challenge: All Stars star Mark Long expressed his heartbreak as he recalled being paired with Burrell on a prior season of the celebrity edition of Worst Cooks in America
Chef Carla Hall, who previously appeared on Food Network's Top Chef, called Burrell an 'incredible cook and teacher'
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley, who was a close friend of Burrell's, revealed that he spoke to her just days before her death
'Anne Burrell was smart. She was sweet. She was funny. She was larger than life. She lived it completely, unabashedly and uniquely,' the Emmy Award-winner began.
'I'll never forget the first time I met her in a casino in Atlantic City, she boldly approached me, introducing herself with her girl gang — she was so endearing, so so funny and delightful.
'Anne was one of a kind. May she rest in glory — another culinary royalty in heaven guiding all of our recipes now. Love u always Anne — Sandy!' Lee concluded.
Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro praised Burrell's 'passion, energy, and love for food' in a heartfelt tribute shared to Instagram.
'Anne, your passion, energy, and love for food lit up every kitchen. You were a true force and a beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Chef [heart-emoji] We'll miss you dearly.'
Anne developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and by watching food icon Julia Child on television.
After earning a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College in Buffalo in 1991, she followed her culinary dreams and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, graduating in 1996.
She worked at a whole host of New York City hotspots including Felidia and Savoy in Soho, where she honed her craft in Mediterranean cuisine.
She was later thrust into the spotlight and became best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America.
The show, which ran for 28 seasons, saw celebrated chefs mentor amateur cooks in an attempt to transform them from rookies to kitchen experts.
Elsewhere, she appeared on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, competition series House of Knives - which premiered in March this year.
The famed chef also penned two of her own cookbooks - Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower.