Food Network hosts and stars are paying tribute to Anne Burrell after the news of her death was announced Tuesday.
After graduating with a degree in English and communication from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996 and studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Asti, Italy. Burrell made her TV debut in 2005 on The Next Iron Chef. From there, she went on to appear in numerous Food Network programs, including her first hosting gig with 2008’s Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.
She went on to host Worst Cooks in America alongside Beau MacMillan and worked on the series for 27 seasons, becoming a mainstay Food Network personality. Additional programs she appeared in on the network included Chopped, Celebrity Food Fight, Cutthroat Kitchen, Cooks vs. Cons, Food Network Star, The Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, Wildcard Kitchen and House of Knives, on which she competed.
Bobby Flay, one of the most recognizable Food Network stars, reflected on his time working alongside Burrell on his Instagram Story, where he wrote, “Worst Cooks in America was the funnest show[s] on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride. The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Main Coon Cats (including Nacho)… a gift that I’ll have forever. #unforgettable.”
Rachael Ray, another beloved chef from the network and one of Burrell’s bridesmaids, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, where she wrote, “The news about Anne has truly shaken us.” Her statement read in part, “I can’t quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon. Anne was a rockstar! I came to know her well through multiple seasons of Worst Cooks on Food Network, and she became so much more than a colleague. … I’ll never forget walking into our dressing rooms at Food Network studios early in the morning and hearing her blasting the song of the moment down the hall. Anne had great taste in music and in life — she was a force in the kitchen, in any room, in every life she touched.”
Food Network, too, posted on Instagram, “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.”
Michael Symon, whom Burrell hosted Worst Cooks alongside, wrote on Instagram: “Rest easy chef .. you have gone way too soon .. a cooks cook who was as competitive as anyone I knew .. your love for teaching & zaniness was unmatched .. much love to your family .. hope you are in a happy place where socks don’t match, highlighters are plentiful & Rangers hockey is on 24/7.”
Longtime Food Network competitor and judge Elizabeth Falkner revealed she and Burrell had “reconnected” ahead of her death on Instagram. Her statement further read, “We hung out back in the OG days late nights in NY here and there. She was a fierce and fun culinary competitor and when we did Next Iron Chef together years ago, we were competitive but we had fun too. Especially one night when we went karaoke singing in Santa Monica. We just sang some songs and laughed. And it was so good to see her last week and I feel blessed that she came to my dinner and she thanked me profusely for inviting her. We made a vow to be even better friends. You will seriously be missed Chef.”
Guy Fieri, another standout star from the network, wrote on X, “Rest easy, @chefanneburrell.”
Shirley Chung, who Burrell competed alongside most recently on House of Knives, posted on Instagram: “Chef Anne, it was my honor to be able to cook next to you, thank you for all the wise words and advice. I can’t believe you are gone so soon. were just texting about eating tacos and knitting blankets last week, we were going to celebrate our new life…. I didn’t believe this is real, I am heart broken , RIP my friend.”
The Kitchen co-host Katie Lee Biegel wrote on her Instagram Story: “Very saddened to hear of the news of Anne’s passing. She has such passion and enthusiasm for food, and brought so many people joy. May she rest in peace.”
Read more tributes below.