NEW YORK (AP) — Renowned TV chef Anne Burrell, celebrated for her role in coaching culinary novices on the Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” passed away at her New York residence on Tuesday at the age of 55. The network confirmed her death, although the cause remains unspecified pending an autopsy by medical examiners.
Authorities arrived at Burrell's home shortly before 8 a.m. and discovered her unresponsive. While official reports did not disclose her identity, public records indicated that it was indeed Burrell's residence. Just months before her passing, she had appeared on NBC’s “Today” show in April, showcasing her culinary skills with a dish of chicken Milanese topped with escarole salad. Earlier in the spring, she also competed against other chefs on the Food Network's series “House of Knives.”
The Food Network released a heartfelt statement acknowledging Burrell's impact, describing her as a “remarkable person and culinary talent” who passionately conveyed the joy and significance of food through her various appearances and teachings. Known for her vibrant and flavorful dishes as well as her distinctive spiky platinum-blonde hair, Burrell led contestants in “Worst Cooks in America” through an intense culinary transformation, guiding challenged individuals to refine their cooking skills.
Since its debut in 2010, the show featured contestants presenting unusual dishes, such as fish with cayenne pepper and peanut butter, and pasta adorned with untraditional toppings. Burrell recalled the challenge of tasting some of these creations as torturous but continued to persevere through 27 seasons, concluding her run in 2024. In a 2020 interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” she expressed her love for teaching, emphasizing the importance of helping individuals overcome their bad habits in the kitchen.
Anne Burrell was born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, where her parents operated a flower shop. She earned a degree in English and communications from Canisius University before briefly working as a headhunter, a role she found unfulfilling. Subsequently, her passion for cooking led her to enroll in the Culinary Institute of America, which she later taught at after graduating in 1996. Burrell also spent a year studying at an Italian culinary school before gaining experience in high-end restaurants in New York City.
Her culinary prowess was recognized when Frank Bruni, then a food critic for the New York Times, praised her in a review, stating, “Anytime Anne Burrell gets near hot oil, I want to be around.” By 2008, she was hosting her own cooking show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” and her television career became a significant focus for her. Throughout her journey, Burrell wrote two cookbooks, “Cook Like a Rock Star” and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower,” while also participating in charitable activities, including initiatives related to food pantries and juvenile diabetes awareness.
In her personal life, Burrell's culinary tastes leaned towards simplicity; she once shared that her favorite food was bacon and her preferred meal was her mother's tuna fish sandwich. Her philosophy about cooking was that it should be a fun and nurturing act, rather than a daunting task.
Burrell is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, his son, her mother, and two siblings. In a statement released by the Food Network, her family reflected on her profound influence, noting, “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.”
