Celebrity chef Anne Burrell, known for her bold flavors and even bolder personality, has died at age 55 in her Brooklyn home. The Food Network icon, famed for her spiky platinum hair and hosting “Worst Cooks in America,” leaves behind a powerful legacy in the culinary world.
A Culinary Star Goes Dark
Anne Burrell, the vibrant Food Network personality known for transforming America’s worst home cooks into kitchen-confident individuals, died Monday at her Brooklyn home. The 55-year-old chef with her trademark spiky blonde hair had become a fixture in American households through her numerous television appearances and accessible approach to cooking. Her representatives confirmed her passing, though no cause of death has been provided. The loss has sent shockwaves through the culinary community and among her devoted fans, who had welcomed her enthusiastic cooking guidance into their homes for nearly two decades.
Burrell’s television journey began in 2005 when she served as Mario Batali’s sous chef on “Iron Chef America.” This role introduced viewers to her formidable kitchen skills and infectious personality, setting the stage for her own Food Network shows. Her extensive culinary background included teaching at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education, where she helped shape the next generation of chefs before bringing her educational approach to television audiences.
Anne Burrell, 55 was found “unconscious and unresponsive” and pronounced dead at the scene at her Brooklyn home on Tuesday morning. I don’t want to believe that someone so young and talented has passed. She was one of the all-time greats who made everything she did a joy. RIP. pic.twitter.com/V4zW8Wc5AV
— Whitney Devlin (@whitneydevlin) June 18, 2025
From Restaurant Kitchens to Television Fame
Burrell’s Food Network career spanned multiple successful shows that showcased her versatility as both a chef and television personality. From 2008 to 2012, she hosted “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” where she demystified professional cooking techniques for home cooks. However, it was her role as the longtime host of “Worst Cooks in America” that cemented her place in culinary television. The competition show, which paired hopeless home cooks with professional chef mentors, highlighted Burrell’s patience, humor, and genuine desire to help others improve their kitchen skills.
“With her trademark spiky blonde hair and sparkling personality, Anne Burrell was the hugely popular and fan-favorite host of Food Network’s hit show, Worst Cooks in America,” the statement read. “Burrell was an industry veteran and passionate teacher who prided herself on her work in the culinary world.”
Beyond these flagship programs, Burrell made regular appearances on “Chopped,” “Chef Wanted,” and “Food Network Star,” demonstrating her adaptability and wide-ranging culinary knowledge. Her television presence extended beyond cooking competitions—she authored two bestselling cookbooks: “Cook Like a Rock Star” and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.” These publications further reflected her mission to make professional cooking techniques accessible to everyday Americans, encouraging them to gain confidence in their own kitchens.
And just…'suddenly'😪💔
*Anne Burrell-55-USA
*Celebrity Chef, 'Food Network' Star and 'Worst Cooks in America', and more…
*June 17, 2025
*Tragically, Anne died suddenly and unexpectedly on the morning of Tuesday, at her home in Brooklyn, New York
*"She was found unconscious… pic.twitter.com/vqKA7AG13J— cheri maday (@resilient333) June 18, 2025
A Lasting Culinary Legacy
Just months before her passing, Burrell appeared on the cooking competition “House of Knives,” which premiered in March. During her final appearance on TODAY on April 9, she demonstrated a chicken Milanese recipe and spoke enthusiastically about the new show. “The new show is so fun. It was really great to be actually competing and cooking again,” she said during the segment, displaying the same passion for cooking that had endeared her to audiences throughout her career.
“Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent—teaching, competing, and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring,” says a Food Network spokesperson. “Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends, and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021; his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; sister, Jane; and brother, Ben. Her family described her as a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend who will be remembered for her warmth, spirit, and passionate dedication to sharing her love of food. The Food Network, where Burrell had become a cornerstone personality, issued a statement highlighting her remarkable talent and the significant loss her passing represents to the culinary community and her countless fans across America.