Anne Burrell, the popular chef known for her spiky blonde hair, big personality, and cooking skills, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55 years old.
She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton—whom she married in 2021—his son, Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.
Anne was a fan favorite on the Food Network, best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America.
She was known for helping people who were terrible at cooking turn into confident home chefs. Her energy, laughter, and passion for food made her a standout on TV.
Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Anne fell in love with cooking as a child, inspired by her mom’s meals and TV chef Julia Child.
She studied English and Communication in college, then followed her passion by attending the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996.
Her family said in a statement, “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend. Her smile lit up every room, and her warmth and love touched people all over the world. Though she’s gone, her spirit lives on.”
Anne had a deep love for Italian food and trained in Italy before returning to New York. She worked in top restaurants like Felidia with chef Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in Soho, focusing on Mediterranean flavors.
In the early 2000s, she began teaching cooking and later moved into television. She first appeared as a sous chef on Iron Chef America, and her talent and charm earned her a show of her own, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which aired for nine seasons and earned an Emmy nomination.
Anne went on to appear in many other Food Network shows like Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, House of Knives, which premiered in March 2025.
She leaves behind a powerful legacy in the food world and in the hearts of her many fans.
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