Food Network star Anne Burrell died at age 55 in her Brooklyn home on Tuesday, June 17.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” her family said in a statement to Us Weekly. “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.”
The Worst Cooks in America host’s cause of death has yet to be revealed. Burrell is survived by her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, along with husband Stuart Claxton (whom she married in October 2021) and his son, Javier.
Burrell rose to fame after she served as a sous chef to fellow Food Network star Mario Batali for the Iron Chef America pilot episode. She stayed in the role for Batali’s stint on the show from 2005 to 2009.
Throughout her time on Iron Chef America, Burrell was also tapped to host her own Food Network show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which premiered in June 2008. However, she was best known for hosting Worst Cooks in America, which premiered in 2010, alongside Chef Beau MacMillan.
She was a mentor on the show from its inception until this year. Burrell addressed her absence from Worst Cooks in America in a January Instagram comment.
“Chef-how come you are not doing Worst Cooks this season. That is your show,” one fan asked at the time. (Food Network did not publicly address her absence.)
Burrell responded, “Uuuuughhh … I know. And I don’t know.”
She also responded to another commenter, agreeing that she misses the series and promised to “so try” and return for the next season.
Months before her sudden death, Burrell offered a career update to Instagram followers.
“OK … sooooooo a little update into the ‘Anne Burrell’ world. I know I have been kinda quiet of late. BUT I am taking ‘Improv for Actors’ at @secondcitynyc!!!” she captioned a March Instagram post. “Can I just say it is SO much fun and I am learning so SO much!!! It really helps me get out of my shell… as if I needed that!!”
Burrell’s final Instagram post came days before news of her death.
“I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!! I’m not going to lie- I have been keeping an eye out for her,” she captioned a selfie on June 12. “I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!!”
