Food Network star Anne Burrell dies age 55, leaving behind culinary legacy

Anne Burrell, the vibrant Food Network chef best known for mentoring amateur cooks, has died at the age of 55. She passed away on Tuesday at her home in Brooklyn, New York. Emergency responders found her unconscious and unresponsive early that morning, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed and is pending autopsy results.

Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, as well as her stepson Javier, mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and her three children: Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas. According to the report, Burrell’s family also confirmed her death in a statement that said, “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend, her smile lit up every room she entered.”

With her signature spiky platinum-blonde hair and infectious personality, Burrell became one of the most recognisable faces in American food television. She first appeared alongside Mario Batali as a sous-chef on Iron Chef America in 2005 before hosting the Emmy-nominated Secrets of a Restaurant Chef from 2008 to 2012. Her longest-running role came with Worst Cooks in America, which she led for 27 seasons until 2024, becoming a fan favourite for her tough-love mentorship style and humour.

Burrell also published two bestselling cookbooks and made appearances on Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently House of Knives, which aired earlier this year. The Food Network paid tribute with a touching statement, writing, “Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

Anne Burrell’s joy, generosity and energy made cooking accessible and exciting for millions. Her legacy endures not only in her recipes and shows but in the confidence she inspired in countless home cooks around the world.