Rachael Ray says she's ‘truly shaken' after learning of Anne Burrell's unexpected death

Miami Herald

4 hours ago

Rachael Ray is paying tribute to her former co-host, Anne Burrell.
The 56-year-old culinary star, best known for her Emmy-winning syndicated talk show 'Rachael Ray,' spent four seasons as Burrell's co-host on Food Network's hit show 'Worst Cooks In America.'
Burrell, who hosted the show from 2010 to 2024, died on June 17, according to CNN. She was 55.
'The news about Anne has truly shaken us. John and I are heartbroken,' Ray wrote on behalf of her and her husband, John Cusimano, in a June 18 Instagram post.
'I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon,' she continued alongside several photos of the former co-hosts.
Ray made her debut on 'Worst Cooks In America' in 2015 for the first celebrity edition of the show.
Burrell's team won that season, but Ray returned to the show for three straight seasons in 2016 and 2017 — and her team was crowned the winner in two of those seasons (9 and 10).
The two friends split a 2-2 tie in the four seasons they competed against each other.
'Anne was a rockstar!' Ray said of Burrell. 'I came to know her well through multiple seasons of Worst Cooks on Food Network, and she became so much more than a colleague.'
'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,' she added.
Ray went on to remember all the 'incredible laughs' they shared and Burrell's 'great taste in music.'
'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,' she wrote.
'She was a force in the kitchen, in any room, in every life she touched,' Ray continued.
Elsewhere in her social media tribute, Ray reflected on one of her fondest memories with Burrell.
'Anne honored me by asking me to be her bridesmaid, something I'd only done once before for my sister,' Ray wrote of Burrell and her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021.
'She even cooked for me and my guests at my wedding anniversary in Italy,' Ray added of Burrell.
Burrell's family confirmed the culinary star's death in a June 17 statement shared by People.
'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,' her family wrote. 'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.'
According to TMZ, Claxton 'found her unresponsive and lying on the floor of their shower' before calling 911. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family added in the statement.
Many of her Food Network colleagues and fellow culinary superstars took to social media to honor her legacy.
One Food Network spokesperson praised Burrell for 'teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring,' according to Today.
Fellow culinary star Robert Irvine took to X to describe her as 'generous and supportive.'
'Anne wasn't just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered,' he wrote. 'From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fueled by mutual respect.'
Another one of her 'Worst Cooks' rivals, Tyler Florence, reflected on his time spent with Burrell.
'No one was funnier. She was Mensa smart with razor wit and sincere kindness,' he said of Burrell in a June 17 Instagram post. 'She was recognized everywhere. The city loved her.'
Burrell is survived by her husband, his son Javier, her mother (Marlene), sister (Jane) and brother (Ben).