Bobby Flay reveals ‘greatest gift' Anne Burrell gave him before her tragic death at 55
Bobby Flay is toasting to Anne Burrell.
The celebrity chef, 60, shared a social media tribute Wednesday to Burrell, who was found dead in her Brooklyn home at age 55 earlier this week.
''Worst Cooks in America' was the funnest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride,' Flay wrote on his Instagram Stories.
9 Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay in 2014.
Carly Erickson/BFA/Shutterstock
'The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)… a gift that I'll have forever,' he added, referring to his cat Nacho.
Flay's tribute featured a picture of Burrell holding two Calico Maine Coon cats.
9 Bobby Flay's tribute to Anne Burrell.
Bobby Flay / Instagram
The 'Beat Bobby Flay' host posted about his pet cat Nacho just two days before Burrell died.
'The recipe for Made by Nacho: Take one chef, add lifelong cat obsession, simmer for decades ✨,' he wrote alongside an Instagram video of the feline, adding, 'This is what cat-dad-since-forever looks like.'
9 Bobby Flay with his cat Nacho.
Bobby Flay/Instagram
Burrell co-hosted the Food Network series 'Worst Cooks in America,' which Flay appeared on as one of the celebrity chefs for four seasons.
9 Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell on 'Today' in 2012.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
The shocking news of Burrell's death broke on Tuesday.
The New York City Police Department revealed that Burrell was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' at her home in Brooklyn after she allegedly went into cardiac arrest.
Her husband, Stuart Claxton, reportedly discovered the star unconscious on the shower floor, about six or seven hours after he last saw her alive at 1 a.m.
9 Anne Burrell at the Food Network and Cooking Channel New York City Wine and Food Festival in 2019.
Getty Images for NYCWFF
After calling 911, Claxton was allegedly advised to begin performing CPR on Burrell. She was pronounced dead at the scene once emergency services arrived at around 7:50 a.m.
Her cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
9 Stuart Claxton and Anne Burrell at the The 40th Anniversary Gala: House Of Harvest event in 2023.
Getty Images for City Harvest
The night before she passed away, Burrell performed improv at a venue in Brooklyn. A witness claimed that Burrell 'was in great spirits' during and after the show.
In a statement to People, Burrell's family said: 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered.'
'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,' the family added.
9 Anne Burrell at the Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival in 2022.
Getty Images for NYCWFF
Numerous stars have paid tribute to Burrell including Rachael Ray, who was a bridesmaid in Burrell's 2021 wedding to Claxton.
'I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon,' Ray, 56, wrote on Instagram, adding that she was 'truly shaken' by Burrell's death.
9 Rachael Ray poses with Anne Burrell on set.
rachaelray/Instagram
9 Rachael Ray and Anne Burrell at Anne's wedding.
rachaelray/Instagram
'Anne honored me by asking me to be her bridesmaid, something I'd only done once before for my sister,' Ray went on. '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.'
The Food Network similarly honored Burrell in a statement to 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,' the network said.
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