The food world is reeling from the sudden loss of Anne Burrell, the charismatic chef and Food Network star known for her spiky blonde hair, tough-love teaching style, and infectious passion for Italian cuisine. Burrell was found unresponsive at her Brooklyn home this morning and pronounced dead at the scene. She was 55.
A Trailblazing Career Cut Short
Burrell rose to fame as the co-host of Worst Cooks in America, where she transformed kitchen disasters into confident cooks with her signature catchphrase: “Yes, chef!” Her other hits included Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, and she frequently appeared as a judge on Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped.
Before her TV stardom, Burrell trained under Mario Batali as his sous chef on Iron Chef America and honed her skills at renowned restaurants like Felidia and Centro Vinoteca. In 2017, she opened Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge in Brooklyn, though the restaurant closed a year later.
Tributes Flood Social Media
Fellow chefs and fans shared heartfelt memories:
- Bobby Flay: “Anne was a force—funny, fearless, and full of life. The kitchen won’t be the same without her.”
- Alex Guarnaschelli: “She taught us all to cook with heart and humor. I’ll miss her every day.”
- Food Network: “We’ve lost a legend. Her impact on food television is immeasurable.”
Beyond the Kitchen
Burrell was a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in the culinary world. After being “outed” by Ted Allen in 2012 (though she insisted she was never closeted), she became vocal about her relationship with chef Koren Grieveson and later married Stuart Claxton in 2021. She also championed charities like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, winning $75,000 for them on Chopped All-Stars in 2015.
A Legacy of Passion and Fire
From her early days at the Culinary Institute of America to her final TV appearances, Burrell’s energy was unmatched. Whether she was mentoring home cooks or judging top chefs, her blunt humor and culinary wisdom left a lasting mark.
What’s Next
An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death. Memorial plans will be announced by her family, who’ve requested privacy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to [preferred charity], a cause close to Burrell’s heart.
