Anne Burrell, celebrated TV chef and star of Worst Cooks in America, has passed away at the age of 55 at her New York home. The Food Network confirmed her death, with an autopsy pending to determine the cause.
Burrell, known for her trademark platinum-blonde hair and vibrant personality, built a career on teaching home cooks to improve their skills and confidence in the kitchen. Since her debut on Iron Chef America, she became a staple of the Food Network, starring in Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Worst Cooks in America, and House of Knives.
Her last TV appearance was just this spring, preparing her signature chicken Milanese on NBC’s Today.
“Anne was a remarkable talent and a joyful teacher,” the Food Network said.
Born in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell first earned an English degree before pursuing her true passion at the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996. She refined her craft in Italy and later in top NYC restaurants before making the leap to television in 2008.
Over 27 seasons of Worst Cooks in America, she guided novice chefs with her signature blend of patience and humor. “If people want to learn, I absolutely love to teach,” she once told Good Morning America.
Burrell also authored two cookbooks — Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen — and contributed to numerous charitable causes.
Her favorite meal? Her mother’s tuna fish sandwich — a testament to her belief that “cooking is fun, not scary.”
She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, his son, her mother, and two siblings.
“Anne’s light touched millions,” her family said in a statement.
