Brooklyn, New York — June 17, 2025 — Anne Burrell, the vibrant and beloved Food Network chef known for her trademark spiky platinum hair and larger-than-life kitchen presence, died this morning at her home in Brooklyn. She was 55.
💔 A Sudden Loss
Shortly before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, NYPD officers responded to a report of an “unconscious and unresponsive” woman at Burrell’s Brooklyn residence. Emergency Medical Services pronounced her dead at the scene. While her passing is still under investigation, early reports say there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy is pending.
A Life Lived with Flavor and Flair
Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell earned degrees in English and Communications before discovering her passion for cooking. She later trained at the Culinary Institute of America and also studied in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners.
Burrell’s culinary career began in New York restaurants like Felidia, Savoy, and Centro Vinoteca, and she also taught at the Institute of Culinary Education. Her TV breakthrough came as Mario Batali’s sous-chef on Iron Chef America in 2005.
She went on to host Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosted Worst Cooks in America for 27 seasons. She was also a familiar face on Chopped, Chef Wanted, and most recently, House of Knives in 2025.
Anne authored two cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen, both packed with empowering tips and approachable recipes.
Community and Family First
Beyond the kitchen, Anne was a strong supporter of local food banks, juvenile diabetes research, and hunger relief organizations like City Harvest. Her warmth and no-nonsense charm made her not only a star, but a mentor and role model to aspiring chefs worldwide.
She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
A Lasting Legacy
The Food Network released a heartfelt statement: “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.”
Her family added, “Her smile lit up every room… her light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.”
From her fearless recipes and iconic laugh to her empowering belief that “cooking is fun, it doesn’t have to be scary,” Anne Burrell’s legacy lives on — in kitchens, on screens, and in the hearts of fans everywhere.
