(CNN) The Food Network has announced the death of Anne Burrell, a chef and television personality whose upbeat manner made her a cherished staple. Her age was 55.
According to the network, Burrell passed away Tuesday morning at her New York home.
In a statement made public by the Food Network, Burrell’s family claimed that her light reached millions of people worldwide.
They said that even though she is no longer with us, her spirit, kindness, and unending love will always be there.
“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,” a Food Network representative continued. During this terrible time of loss, our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends, and admirers.
There was no cause of death mentioned.
In a statement to CNN, a New York Police Department spokesperson said that at approximately 7:50 a.m. ET on Tuesday, police arrived at a residence connected to Burrell.
Officers found a 55-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive when they arrived. According to the statement, EMS arrived on the site and declared the woman dead.
The inquiry is still under progress.
The office of the New York City Medical Examiner has been contacted by CNN for comment. Additionally, CNN has contacted Burrell’s direct representative.
Beginnings
As one of the most well-known Food Network celebrities, Burrell was a legendary chef who made appearances on a number of the network’s shows, including Iron Chef America, Worst Cooks in America, Chef Wanted with Anne Burell, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate, among many others.
According to a biography, the New York native became involved in the culinary scene after graduating from Canisius College in Buffalo with a degree in English and Communications. She was inspired by Julia Child and her own mother’s culinary skills.
After graduating in 1996, she continued her education at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she completed an apprenticeship at the Michelin-starred La Bottega del 30 restaurant in Umbria, Italy, according to the Food Network’s bio.
After returning to New York, Burrell worked her way up in the city’s elite kitchens before making her TV debut in 2005 as a sous chef on Food Network’s Iron Chef America. Up till 2013, Burrell participated in ten seasons of the cooking competition series.
Between 2008 and 2012, Burrell aired her own show on the Food Network called Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, where she shared easily understandable expert methods that viewers could use in their own homes. The show aired for nine seasons and received two Emmy nominations in 2011.
Burrell was the host and star of Worst Cooks in America from 2010 until 2024. The show pitted some of the nation’s worst chefs against renowned culinary reviewers in an attempt to prepare meals and earn money.
Burrell became a mainstay on the Food Network once Secrets and Iron Chef America became successful. In addition to hosting her namesake show Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell from 2012 to 2013, she served as a judge on Bobby Flay’s Chopped from 2011 to 2016.
She continued to work with Flay when she was a captain on BBQ Brawl: Flay vs. Symon in 2022–2023, and she defeated Bobby Flay from 2014–2023.
I like to put happy and joy into my food
Burrell’s enthusiasm was evident whether she was competing, hosting, or serving as a judge. This was particularly true when she had to draw on her background as a culinary educator.
I firmly believe that when you cook, your food senses your emotions and responds appropriately. In April, she told Tasting Table, “I like to put happy and joy into my food, and it’s not so serious.” I instruct the world’s worst cooks. You have to know how to accomplish that, after all.
It’s only dinner, after all, she said.
Outside of the Food Network, Burrell shared her love of food on a number of daytime TV shows, including as Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Talk, and Today, through cooking segments.
Just four days earlier, Burrell boasted on social media about meeting online celebrity Elizabeth Sweetheart, popularly known as the Green Lady of Carroll Gardens, while strolling across Brooklyn. Burrell concluded the post with the hashtag “I love what I do,” as she frequently did.
Later on Tuesday, Burrell was referred to be the next generation of light in the culinary Food Network industry by fellow Food Network star Sandra Lee in an Instagram post. Your quick wit, sassy attitude, stubborn nature, and enchanting laughter will always be remembered by all of us, who adore you.
The news of her passing shocked and upset Robert Irvine, who co-hosted America’s Worst Chefs with Burrell, among other shows.
In addition to being a fiery chef, Anne was a luminous soul who brightened every space she walked into. Mutual respect drove our friendly rivalry from the start of Worst Cooks in America: I would risk bleaching my hair, and she would risk losing hers in an epic wager that embodied her unbreakable character, he wrote. Even though I lost the wager in the end, I couldn’t fathom losing against a more determined opponent.
In his letter, Andrew Zimmern claimed to have known Burrell for more than 20 years and referred to her as a friend. He also mentioned that he had just spent a few weeks cooking with her in Puerto Rico.
I send my warmest regards to her followers, friends, and family. Zimmern remarked, “I believe that right now we should concentrate on showing our love and appreciation for all the wonderful things she stood for and the joy she brought to so many people’s lives.” I hope that additional information regarding this horrible event will become available to us over time.
Burrell is survived by her mother, sister, husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, and his son Javier.
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