Anne Burrell, the larger-than-life chef known for her signature spiky platinum hair and fiery energy in the kitchen, has passed away at the age of 55. The Food Network star was found unresponsive at her Brooklyn apartment early Tuesday morning, and was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services. Her family has since confirmed the heartbreaking news, though no official cause of death has been disclosed.
Burrell’s death has stunned the culinary community and her millions of fans around the world. She was best known for hosting Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosting the hit series Worst Cooks in America, where her no-nonsense mentorship and undeniable charm made her a household name.
In what would become her final Instagram post, shared just four days before her passing, Burrell uploaded a selfie with Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal – better known as the Green Lady of Brooklyn. “I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute,” Burrell captioned with typical good humour. “She is just lovely!!!” She ended the post with the hashtags #ilovewhatido and #luckygirl—words that, in hindsight, read like a poignant final reflection on a life lived with passion and purpose.
Tributes have poured in from fans, friends, and fellow celebrities who admired Burrell’s vibrant spirit both on and off screen. Her family shared an emotional statement with People, writing: “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
From Chopped and Chef Wanted to her most recent appearance on House of Knives, which premiered earlier this year, Burrell’s television legacy was as expansive as it was influential. She also authored two cookbooks – Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen – designed to empower everyday cooks with her signature bold flavours and no-fuss techniques.
Off-screen, Burrell’s culinary career began humbly but with immense promise. Inspired by Julia Child and her mother’s home cooking, she left a communications degree behind to pursue her true calling at the Culinary Institute of America. She went on to work at acclaimed NYC restaurants including Felidia and Savoy before carving out her own space on TV.
She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married in a romantic fall ceremony in her hometown of Cazenovia in 2021, and by her stepson, Javier.
Food Network, the channel that helped catapult her into the public eye, wrote in a statement: “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.”
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Feature image: Anne Burrell/Instagram
