Renowned celebrity chef Anne Burrell has passed away at the age of 55, as confirmed by her family in a statement released on Tuesday. Burrell, known for her infectious smile and radiant personality, touched the lives of many, both personally and through her culinary endeavors. Her family expressed that her warmth, spirit, and love will continue to shine, even in her absence.
Burrell passed away at her residence in Brooklyn, New York. The cause of her death remains undisclosed. The Food Network, where Burrell had a significant presence, expressed their condolences, praising her remarkable culinary talent and her passion for sharing the joy of food. They extended their thoughts to Burrell’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
Burrell was a distinctive figure in the culinary world, recognized for her platinum blond pixie cut and her role as the host of the long-running show, “Worst Cooks in America.” The show, which has been on air for 28 seasons since 2010, had Burrell’s involvement from the very beginning.
In addition to her television career, Burrell was a successful author. Her 2011 cookbook, “Cook Like a Rock Star,” made it to the New York Times bestseller list. She also penned a second cookbook titled “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.”
Born in Cazenovia, New York, in 1969, Burrell’s culinary journey was inspired by her mother’s cooking and the legendary Julia Child. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996, she worked at several popular New York restaurants, including Felidia and Savoy in Soho.
Burrell’s television career began as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America,” which eventually led to her own show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.” The show, which premiered in 2008, ran for nine seasons and earned an Emmy nomination. Burrell also appeared on several other Food Network shows, including “Food Network Star,” “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped,” and “House of Knives.”
Beyond her culinary pursuits, Burrell was actively involved in philanthropic work. She served on the Garden of Dreams Foundation Advisory Board and was a Celebrity Ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She also advocated for City Harvest, serving on their Food Council.
In October 2021, Burrell married Stuart Claxton, with fellow celebrity chef Rachael Ray serving as a bridesmaid at their wedding. Burrell is survived by Claxton and his son, Javier, her mother, Marlene, her sister, Jane, and her brother, Ben.