Rachael Ray, Anne Burrell's bridesmaid, remembers Food Network star
The TV personality and former "Rachel Ray Show" host took to social media one day after Burrell's July 17 death to tell fans that "the news about Anne has truly shaken us," adding that her husband "John (Cusimano) and I are heartbroken."
Ray was a bridesmaid during Burrell's 2021 fall-themed wedding to Stuart Claxton. The celebrity chef expressed that she "can't quite believe" the news and praised her friend in the post. She called Burrell "a strong, vibrant, fearless woman," who was "so full of life and love" and "gone so soon."
Burrell, known for her buoyant personality on numerous Food Network appearances including as host of "Worst Cooks," died earlier this week at her home in New York, the Food Network confirmed. A cause was not disclosed and is currently under investigation by the city's Office of the Medical Examiner.
The "Worst Cooks in America" franchise star's sudden death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit culinary fan community and shook her fellow celebrities including Bobby Flay, Gigi Hadid, Tyler Florence and Carla Hall.
"Anne was a rockstar! I came to know her well through multiple seasons of 'Worst Cooks' on Food Network, and she became so much more than a colleague," Ray wrote. "Anne honored me by asking me to be her bridesmaid, something I'd only done once before for my sister."
Ray, who is not a trained chef, said that "despite being surrounded by incredible chefs, she never once made me feel self-conscious about not being one — she always treated me as one of the gang."
"When we hosted Worst Cooks together, we had the most incredible laughs. She even cooked for me and my guests at my wedding anniversary in Italy," Ray said. "I'll never forget walking into our dressing rooms at Food Network studios early in the morning and hearing her blasting the song of the moment down the hall."
Ray concluded the caption: "I'll miss her friendship deeply. Everyone whose life she touched will miss her. Sending love to Stuart and everyone who knew and loved Anne. We've lost someone truly special."
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Kelly Lawler
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Yahoo
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- Yahoo
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4 hours ago
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