The culinary world is mourning the loss of Anne Burrell, the beloved Food Network star and charismatic coach best known for transforming kitchen catastrophes into passable cooks on the hit show “Worst Cooks in America.” Burrell passed away at her home in New York City on Tuesday, June 18, 2025. She was 55 years old.
The Food Network confirmed her death, acknowledging her significant impact over a two-decade television career. The cause of death was not immediately clear, and medical examiners are scheduled to conduct an autopsy. Authorities were called to her residence before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, where she was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Reports indicate a 911 call mentioned a concern she had gone into cardiac arrest, though this has not been confirmed as the official cause.
A Champion for the Culinary Underdog
With her signature spiky platinum-blonde hair and vibrant personality, Burrell became a household name guiding teams of culinarily challenged contestants through rigorous training on “Worst Cooks in America.” Since the show’s premiere in 2010, she helmed 27 seasons, making her final appearance in 2024.
Burrell’s dedication to teaching was evident as she patiently coached novices grappling with basic skills. She often emphasized that improvement came from breaking bad habits and overcoming fear in the kitchen. The show famously featured contestants presenting truly bizarre dishes – ranging from cod with cayenne pepper and peanut butter to pasta with pineapple – which the professional chefs, including Burrell, were required to taste and evaluate. Burrell herself confessed in early interviews that this tasting experience could be “torturous.”
A Stellar Career in Food Television
Anne Burrell’s journey in television began in 2005 as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America,” where her fiery presence quickly captured attention. This led to her hosting her own show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons, shifting her focus increasingly toward media. She was known for her culinary style – bold, flavorful, yet approachable and “not overly fancy.”
Beyond her primary roles, Burrell was a familiar face across the Food Network and other channels, competing and appearing on shows like “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped,” “Food Network Star,” and the recently premiered “House of Knives.” She also made numerous appearances on NBC’s “Today” show, as recently as April 2025.
Tributes poured in from colleagues and fans. Chef Carla Hall remembered Burrell as a “fierce chef and instructor” with a “unique style and unforgettable big smile.” Chef Robert Irvine described her as a “radiant spirit,” recalling their friendly rivalry on “Worst Cooks” rooted in mutual respect, including an “epic wager” involving hair color.
From Headhunter to Head Chef
Born September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, where her parents ran a flower shop, Anne Burrell initially pursued an English and communications degree from Canisius University. A brief, disliked stint as a headhunter prompted her to follow her true passion: cooking. She enrolled in the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA), graduating in 1996. Her education included a year at an Italian culinary school, after which she honed her skills in upscale New York City restaurants. She later returned to teach at both the CIA and the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). Her talent was recognized early, with then-New York Times food critic Frank Bruni noting enthusiastically in 2007, “Anytime Anne Burrell gets near hot oil, I want to be around.”
Beyond her extensive television work, Burrell authored two popular cookbooks: the New York Times bestseller “Cook Like a Rock Star” and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.” She was also actively involved in various charitable causes, supporting food pantries, raising awareness for juvenile diabetes through the JDRF, and volunteering with organizations like the Garden of Dreams Foundation and City Harvest.
Despite her background in fine dining and celebrity status, Burrell maintained simple personal culinary preferences, citing bacon as her favorite food and her mother’s tuna fish sandwich as her favorite meal. She often shared her philosophy that “Cooking is fun. It doesn’t have to be scary. It’s creating something nurturing.”
Anne Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, his son, her mother, and her two siblings. In a statement released through the Food Network, her family shared, “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.” They described her as a “beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend” whose “smile lit up every room she entered,” adding that her “warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.” Her passing marks the loss of a unique talent who inspired many to find joy and confidence in the kitchen.
