Food Network favorite Anne Burrell, known for Worst Cooks in America and her larger-than-life personality, dies at 55 in Brooklyn home.
Celebrity chef Anne Burrell, the spirited culinary icon best known for her platinum spikes and unforgettable presence on the Food Network, died on the morning of June 17, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55.
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News of her passing was confirmed by her representatives, with her family releasing a heartfelt statement: “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.”
Burrell is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, her sister Jane, her brother Ben, and Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
A Food Network mainstay, Burrell rose to fame as the long-running host of Worst Cooks in America, where she transformed hapless home cooks into confident kitchen warriors. Her effervescent personality, infectious laugh, and fierce culinary chops made her an undeniable fan favorite across a variety of shows.
Born September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell fell in love with cooking thanks to her mother’s home meals and television legend Julia Child. She initially studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo, but soon found her calling in the kitchen, graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996.
She furthered her culinary education in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she absorbed the principles of authentic Italian cuisine. Returning to New York, she sharpened her skills at Felidia under Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in SoHo, specializing in Mediterranean flavors.
By the early 2000s, Burrell began teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education and transitioned into television, starting as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. In 2008, she launched her own Emmy-nominated series, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which ran for nine successful seasons.
She went on to appear in shows like Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, House of Knives, which premiered in March 2025.
A two-time cookbook author, her debut Cook Like a Rock Star hit the New York Times Bestseller List in 2011. Her second book, Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower, further cemented her role as a mentor to home cooks everywhere.
Beyond the spotlight, Burrell dedicated herself to philanthropy. She served on the Garden of Dreams Foundation advisory board, supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as a celebrity ambassador, and was an active member of City Harvest’s Food Council.
Burrell met her husband Stuart Claxton on Bumble in 2018, and the two wed in 2021. Reflecting on married life, she told PEOPLE in 2023, “It’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.”
Anne Burrell’s passing leaves a void in the culinary world, but her legacy of joy, mentorship, and passion for food will live on in the hearts of fans and food lovers everywhere.
