Latest news with #FoodNetwork
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Worst Cooks Returns—and So Does Anne Burrell's Impact
From kitchen flops to life lessons, Anne Burrell showed us in Worst Cooks In America why failure is ... More just the first ingredient in success. Food TV has long profited from humiliation. Burrell built something else—a space where failure could be funny, but getting better was the point. When Worst Cooks in America returns to Food Network on July 28, it won't feel like just another stunt season. A month will have passed since Anne Burrell—chef, host, and the show's driving force—died unexpectedly at age 55. She had filmed this upcoming season, Talented and Terrible, alongside new mentor Gabe Bertaccini before her death. It now serves, unofficially, as her farewell. The premise is familiar: a group of self-proclaimed disasters try to survive culinary boot camp. This time, they're professional performers—people who are polished on stage but lost in the kitchen. It's built for irony, but the real tension sits somewhere else. This is the last season with Burrell. And the last one that carries the very specific tone she created: not perfectionism, not cruelty, but encouragement. What the Show Represents For many adults, cooking can come with a quiet sense of disappointment, especially when it doesn't match what we imagine it should be. Not just about how much we rely on takeout or how often we burn rice, but a deeper anxiety: that somehow, everyone else learned how to feed themselves the 'right' way—and we missed the memo. Food television, even when it claims to be approachable, often reinforces that divide. Too glossy, too fast, too perfect. But Worst Cooks in America, especially under Anne Burrell's lead, offered something else. The show wasn't just funny—it was freeing. Burrell didn't treat incompetence as failure; she treated it as a starting point. In a media landscape that often drags the amateur for laughs, she reminded us that learning to cook is still allowed to be clumsy. That getting better is still allowed to take time. The show never mocked people for what they didn't know. It offered them space to try again and a coach who actually believed they could pull it off. That ethos—of meeting people where they are and helping them improve—isn't just good television. It reflects what psychologist Carol Dweck defines as a growth mindset: the belief that a person's abilities can be developed through their own effort, feedback, and persistence. As the Association for Psychological Science explains, this kind of mindset reframes failure as a necessary part of learning, not a sign of weakness. Dweck's research has shown that people with a growth mindset not only perform better under pressure but are more likely to view mistakes as part of the process—an idea reinforced by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which links these beliefs to long-term performance and resilience. Worst Cooks in America made that theory tangible. Under Anne Burrell, it modeled a kind of mistake-embracing culture that helped viewers—many of whom had written themselves off in the kitchen—see improvement as possible, and even joyful. The Advice That Lingers A month after her passing, that belief still resonates. In one widely shared Reddit thread, fans reflected on the phrases that had etched themselves into memory, not because they were trendy, but because they were true. 'Brown food tastes good.' 'Slices, sticks, dices.' 'BTB, RTS.' (Bring to boil, reduce to simmer.) Sure, these punchy catchphrases were good for a laugh. For these fans of Burrell and of the show, they are little anchors. A way for someone who'd never held a knife correctly to hear Burrell's voice in their head and adjust their grip. A way for someone overwhelmed in their own kitchen to remember: brown food is good food. You're not messing it up. You're doing it right. 'She lives on,' one commenter wrote, describing how they still say her phrases out loud while cooking. Another shared, 'I think of Anne Burrell every time I cut something with a knife.' Burrell's legacy the impact of Worst Cooks in America in isn't just about visibility or representation. It's about emotional permission. She gave people who felt behind—people who had been dismissed in other kitchens, or dismissed themselves—a reason to believe they could still learn how to cook. And, maybe, how to be seen doing it. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) When does the new season of Worst Cooks in America premiere? Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible premieres Monday, July 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on HBO Max. Who are the mentors this season? This season features the final on-screen appearance of longtime host Anne Burrell, joined by new mentor Chef Gabe Bertaccini. Together, they guide a group of celebrity performers through culinary boot camp. What's different about this season? In addition to marking Anne Burrell's final season, Talented and Terrible brings a twist: all the recruits are professional entertainers—people used to commanding a stage, but completely lost in the kitchen. Challenges include recreating the mentors' 'winner winner chicken dinner,' mastering restaurant classics, and taking on the fan-favorite Remote Control Chef test.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anne Burrell reportedly suffered cardiac arrest after suspected overdose of 100 pills before her death
The culinary world is mourning the sudden loss of Food Network legend Anne Burrell. On the morning of June 17, a 911 call was placed from her Brooklyn home at 7:50 a.m. ET, reportedly stating symptoms of cardiac arrest. Though her name was not directly mentioned, the address linked back to her residence, raising grave concerns. A 911 call that hinted at heartbreaking truths Shortly after, Burrell was found unresponsive. While the official cause of death has yet to be released, various reports have emerged suggesting the celebrity chef may have died from a drug overdose, with some claims alleging the consumption of nearly 100 pills. The suspected overdose is believed to have led to a fatal cardiac arrest. A shining star in the culinary universe Anne Burrell, known and loved for her vibrant personality and unmistakable platinum-blonde hair, rose to fame through her 2008 Food Network series Secrets of a Restaurant Chef. Over the years, she became a household name, appearing on beloved culinary shows including Food Network Star, The Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. One of her most iconic roles was as the no-nonsense yet compassionate host of Worst Cooks in America, guiding struggling home chefs with tough love and skill. Though she was notably absent from the Worst Cooks: Celebrity Edition – Heroes vs Villains earlier this year, she had addressed her break through Instagram, hinting at personal reasons. Burrell leaves behind her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas. She is also survived by her mother Marlene, sister Jane, and brother Ben. In a heartbreaking family statement, her loved ones remembered her as someone whose joy lit up every room and whose love touched lives across the world. Her presence, they said, may no longer be physical, but her light will forever shine.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Casting call: Amateur chefs in Niagara wanted for Food Network show
Are you a fabulous amateur chef? Are you the host with the most? Food Network Canada is looking for five talented home cooks in Niagara to appear on an upcoming episode of 'Come Dine with Me Canada.' In each episode of the cooking reality show, amateur chefs take turns hosting a dinner party in their home to impress other contestants with their culinary skills. After each dinner party, the chefs rate the dishes, and the highest score at the end of the week will win a cash prize and bragging rights. Casting producer Heather Muir says the format results in a very entertaining program. 'When you get five people in a room, you're going to have great moments … you're going to get lovely flowing dialogue, you're probably going to have the awkward silences,' she said. 'But the thing that always brings it together at the table is the food.' Participants must be at least 19 years old, Canadian residents, and available to film between August and October. They must commit to two full days and four consecutive evenings of filming. 'What we're looking for is people who really love to cook and are confident with their cooking skills,' Muir added. 'We are also looking for people who really like to entertain, to set a table, to invite people into their homes, to set at atmosphere for a great dinner party.' The series debuted in 2010 and is adapted from the British program of the same name. The show previously appeared on the W Network from 2010 to 2014 and included an Niagara episode in 2014. This is the first time the show will appear on the Food Network. 'If you love food and you love a good time, this is the show for you,' Muir said. 'Other cooking shows ask for certain skills, they throw different surprises at you. This is you, in your home, cooking what you love to cook and that's the fun of this show.' The show will appear on the Food Network and be available to stream on Citytv+ later this year. To apply, visit .
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Snack Wrap is back at McDonald's: What to know, when you can order it
The wait is over. After months of teasing from McDonald's, the day has arrived for the Snack Wrap to return. Customers can order the much-anticipated menu item starting Thursday, July 10. The item is available in two flavors: Spicy: The Spicy Snack Wrap brings the heat with a habanero kick that fans know and love from the Spicy McCrispy sandwich. Ranch: The Ranch Snack Wrap delivers a satisfying burst of cool ranch goodness, with hints of garlic and onion. The Snack Wrap is available a la carte or as a combo meal, which includes two Snack Wraps, a medium fry and a drink of choice. The item costs $2.99 a la carte. Customers can order the Snack Wrap after breakfast hours. Breakfast hours differ by McDonald's location, although most locations typically stop serving breakfast at 10:30 or 11 a.m. local time. Spicy McMuffins: McDonald's new spicy breakfast items are here: How long they're available The Snack Wrap first hit the McDonald's menu in 2006. Over the next decade, it appeared on the menu in several different iterations, according to the Food Network, but with the same main ingredients of chicken breast meat (grilled or crispy), lettuce, cheese and sauce in a soft flour tortilla. According to McDonald's, the Snack Wrap was phased out nationally in 2016, but it "never left fans' hearts." "From countless social media posts to full-fledged petitions, they never gave up on their favorite menu item. They're the ones who inspired us to make its return to the menu happen," McDonald's said. The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips, topped with shredded lettuce and shredded cheese and wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain. In addition to the Snack Wrap, McDonald's has unveiled a series of new options to "spice up" its breakfast menu as part of the chain's 50th anniversary celebrations for the McMuffin. The three new spicy breakfast menu items include the Spicy McMuffin, Spicy Sausage McMuffin and Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg. The items feature the traditional ingredients of cheese, egg, Canadian bacon or sausage and a buttered English muffin, but are topped with a new Spicy Pepper Sauce, according to McDonald's. The new breakfast items dropped in stores on 8 and will be around for a limited time at participating locations, according to the fast food chain. McDonald's launched the Egg McMuffin in 1975. The breakfast item was the brainchild of Herb Peterson, a McDonald's franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald's Snack Wrap is back: When you can order, new flavors
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Food Network show looking for amateur chefs
Food Network in Canada is looking for five amateur chefs to film a new season of 'Come Dine With Me,' set to air on Food Network and Citytv+ in 2025. 'Come Dine With Me Canada' is a competition where each contestant is judged on their ability to host a home dinner party. After each party, meals are rated and the highest scorer at the end of the week wins a cash prize. While filming will eventually take place in one area, all Canadians who meet the following requirements are invited to apply: 'We're planning on going coast to coast,' said casting producer Heather Muir in an interview. 'If we receive some great candidates all from the same city, then we're definitely going there.' The new season aims to highlight 'unique Canadian perspectives' and the many different cuisines that are well-represented in Canada. 'When looking at a specific area, what we're hoping for is that the attributes specific to that area really shine through. Think about what you would get sitting at a dinner dining table in Calgary versus what you would get in Halifax,' Muir said. Visit to learn more about the application process and to submit applications. The deadline to apply is July 25.
