16 hours ago
Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell Has Died
Anne Burrell, whose shock of blonde hair and vivacious personality catapulted her to celebrity chef status, has died at the age of 55. A cause of death has not yet been reported.
A spokesperson confirmed the news that Burrell died the morning of Tuesday, June 17. Burrell was best known as the host and star of the network's Worst Cooks in America , among other shows, but was more than a television chef.
The New York State native, inspired by her mother's talent in the kitchen and her admiration for Julia Child, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in 1996. She then spent a year in Italy attending the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners before returning to New York City to begin her career, working as a sous chef alongside Lidia Bastianich at Felidia Ristorante. Burrell then furthered her career working in restaurants and teaching until the chef received her break, appearing as a sous chef on Iron Chef America ; she was later offered her own show. Secrets of a Restaurant Chef ran for nine seasons and was nominated for an Emmy award.
Fueled by her quick wit, everyperson persona, and culinary prowess, Burrell was a regular on shows such as Chef Wanted , Chopped , Worst Cooks in America , and others. Burrell also wrote two cookbooks, the New York Times bestseller Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower. Burrell was also active in charity work, serving on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and was an advocate for City Harvest and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
'Anne was not only a talented chef and television personality but also a passionate advocate for the hospitality industry,' said Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and New York Wine & Food Festival — both of which Burrell was a headlining talent — was shocked by the news of Burrell's untimely death. 'Her vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm, and dedication to culinary education inspired countless chefs.'
In a text to Eater, chef Scott Conant shared that their friendship started decades before they were famous. 'I have so many memories of her and her competitive spirit,' he wrote. 'When she worked at Felidia and I worked at San Domenico, we had a fierce rivalry over which restaurant was better and which of us cooked better Italian food. Thirty-plus years of friendship. I'm heartbroken and confused.'
Burrell was happiest when simply hanging at her Caroll Gardens loft with husband Stuart Claxton. Burrell met Claxton on the online dating app, Bumble, and they were married on October 16, 2021. Burrell loved Brooklyn for its ability to welcome her as a person rather than a celebrity. In an interview with Broken Palate, the celebrity chef said she could be herself in her adopted city: 'I do embrace being a New Yorker. I ride the subway. I do my shopping walking up and down Court Street.'
Burrell's last Instagram post reinforced her integration into Brooklyn's heartbeat and rhythm. Five days ago, she posted a selfie with the @greenladyofbrooklyn. 'I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!' Burrell added the hashtags #ilovewhatido and #luckygirl. See More:
