Anne Burrell Dies at 55 in Brooklyn Home \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Celebrity chef Anne Burrell died at age 55 in her Brooklyn home. Burrell was known for hosting Worst Cooks in America and mentoring aspiring chefs. She leaves behind her husband, family, and millions of inspired fans.
Quick Looks
- Chef and TV star: Beloved for her Food Network career and fiery personality.
- Died at 55: Passed away June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, NY.
- Family tribute: Remembered as a wife, sister, stepmother, and joyful spirit.
- Career highlights: Host of Worst Cooks in America, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.
- Early roots: Trained at CIA and Italian Culinary Institute.
- Cookbook author: Published NYT bestseller Cook Like a Rock Star.
- Philanthropist: Worked with City Harvest, JDRF, and Garden of Dreams Foundation.
- Personal life: Married to Stuart Claxton, met on Bumble in 2018.
Deep Look
Chef Anne Burrell Dies at 55: Remembering the Food Network Icon’s Legacy, Life, and Lasting Impact
Anne Burrell, the trailblazing chef, Food Network personality, and culinary mentor to millions, died Tuesday morning, June 17, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55. Known for her instantly recognizable spiky platinum hair, larger-than-life presence, and unforgettable laugh, Burrell turned kitchen chaos into entertainment, education, and empowerment. Her death marks the end of a chapter in modern American food television—and the loss of a beloved figure who changed how many saw cooking.
Burrell’s representatives confirmed her passing in a public statement, and her family shared emotional words that reflected the outpouring of love from fans and the culinary community alike. “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.”
She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021, and his son Javier, as well as her mother Marlene, her sister Jane and brother Ben, and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
Early Life and Culinary Origins
Anne W. Burrell was born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, a small town in upstate New York. Her passion for food was sparked at a young age through her mother’s home cooking and by watching pioneering television chefs like Julia Child. While she initially pursued an academic path—earning a degree in English and Communication from Canisius College in Buffalo—her culinary curiosity led her to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, from which she graduated in 1996.
Burrell furthered her training in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF), immersing herself in rustic Italian traditions and philosophies that would go on to define much of her professional identity. She completed apprenticeships in Umbria and Tuscany, solidifying a love for regional, ingredient-driven cooking.
From Restaurant Kitchens to the Food Network
Upon returning to New York City, Burrell took on high-pressure roles at celebrated restaurants. She worked at Felidia, Lidia Bastianich’s acclaimed restaurant, where she honed her pasta and sauce-making skills, and later at Savoy in SoHo, developing her Mediterranean sensibilities. Her time in these elite kitchens solidified her technical chops, but it was her charisma that ultimately made her a star.
In the early 2000s, Burrell began teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in NYC, where she shared her love of food with aspiring chefs. Her television break came when she was tapped to serve as Mario Batali’s sous chef on Iron Chef America. Her assertive style, culinary precision, and high-energy delivery quickly made her a standout.
Her solo show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, launched in 2008 on Food Network and ran for nine seasons. The Emmy-nominated program demystified restaurant-level techniques for home cooks, teaching viewers everything from searing scallops to mastering risotto with charm, confidence, and a side of sass.
The “Worst Cooks” Era and Iconic Mentorship
In 2010, Burrell began her most famous role as co-host of Worst Cooks in America. Her dynamic with rotating co-hosts and her clear dedication to mentoring completely untrained cooks into capable home chefs made the show a surprise ratings success. Through 25+ seasons, Burrell became the constant heart of the series.
Whether dealing with failed omelets, botched baking, or overwhelmed contestants, Burrell never lost her sense of humor—or her drive to see people succeed. Her catchphrases, culinary wisdom, and unflinching honesty transformed fearful contestants into proud finalists. For many viewers, her genuine belief in people’s potential was as comforting as her food.
Cookbooks, Competitions, and New Shows
Beyond television, Burrell shared her knowledge through two widely praised cookbooks. Cook Like a Rock Star (2011) became a New York Times bestseller, filled with practical, flavorful recipes and guidance for novices. Her follow-up, Own Your Kitchen, continued that mission, empowering home chefs with confidence and clarity.
She also appeared on Chopped, Chef Wanted, Food Network Star, and most recently House of Knives, a 2025 competitive series that showcased rising chefs. Even in her final months, Burrell remained active in her work, mentoring contestants, offering feedback with love and fire, and reminding America why she mattered.
A Legacy of Giving and Service
Outside the kitchen, Burrell was deeply engaged in philanthropic work. She served as a board member for City Harvest’s Food Council, a nonprofit combating food insecurity in New York City. She was also a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and an advocate for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which supports youth facing significant challenges.
Her charity work mirrored her professional ethos: food should be inclusive, uplifting, and restorative. “I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others,” she once said—a sentiment she lived by through action as much as words.
Personal Joy: Love, Marriage, and Everyday Adventures
In 2018, Anne Burrell met her future husband Stuart Claxton through the dating app Bumble. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage on October 16, 2021, in a joyful ceremony in her hometown of Cazenovia. She often spoke openly about how much she loved married life.
“I love being married,” she told PEOPLE in 2023. “We’re together all the time… it’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.” Claxton, a media executive, supported her career and shared her love of entertaining and family life.
The Culinary World Reacts
Tributes began pouring in within hours of the announcement. Fellow chefs, former contestants, fans, and Food Network colleagues took to social media to express shock, sadness, and admiration.
“She made food fun, fierce, and fearless,” one former contestant wrote. “She changed my life.” Another called her “the heart of home cooking on TV.” Her legacy as a woman who brought approachability, intensity, and pure joy to food is already being canonized in the culinary community.
A Life That Nourished Millions
Anne Burrell’s influence extends far beyond recipes. She turned cooking shows into confidence classes, proving that greatness in the kitchen—and in life—is earned through energy, passion, and resilience. Her ability to be both entertainer and educator made her a fixture in households and a mentor to many who never met her.
Though she is gone too soon, her legacy is set in stone. Whether through a perfectly cooked carbonara, a tearful “Worst Cooks” graduation, or a page in her bestselling cookbook, Anne Burrell’s vibrant spirit lives on wherever people cook with courage and joy.
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