Anne Burrell, Food Network Star and 'Worst Cooks in America' Host, Dies at 55
Anne Burrell — the beloved chef known for her trademark spiky platinum hair, larger-than-life personality and culinary expertise — died on the morning of Tuesday, June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55.
Reps for the star announced Burrell's death in a release obtained by PEOPLE.
She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she wed on Oct. 16, 2021, and his son, Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.
"Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said in a 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."
A fan-favorite on the Food Network, Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America, where her passion for food and mentorship turned disastrous kitchen hopefuls into capable cooks.
Her infectious enthusiasm, signature laugh and fierce kitchen skills made her a standout in the world of food television.
Born on Sept. 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell discovered her love for cooking early, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and television icon, Julia Child.
She studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo before pursuing a culinary career at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated in 1996.
Burrell's love of Italian cuisine led her to the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she completed apprenticeships and developed a deep appreciation for the philosophies of Italian cooking. Returning to the Big Apple, she worked at acclaimed restaurants including Felidia under Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in Soho, where she honed her craft in Mediterranean cuisine.
In the early 2000s, Burrell transitioned into teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education and eventually made her way to television.
Food Network audiences first met Burrell as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Her charisma and culinary chops led to her own Emmy-nominated show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons.
From there, Burrell became Food Network staple, also appearing on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, the competition series House of Knives, which just premiered in March 2025.
Burrell authored two cookbooks: 2011's Cook Like a Rock Star, which made her a New York Times bestseller, and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.
Outside the kitchen, she was deeply committed to philanthropy. She served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and was a dedicated member of City Harvest's Food Council.
"I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others," Burrell was known for saying.
Burrell and Claxton met on Bumble in 2018.
"I have to say, I love being married," she told PEOPLE exclusively during City Harvest's 40th Anniversary Gala in April 2023. "We're together all the time because Stuart works from home. It's the being together all the time, but it's also the adventure together."
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