Who was Anne Burrell? Celebrity chef and TV host dies at 55; officers say she was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' at home

Anne Burrell, chef and television personality, has died at the age of 55. She passed away on Tuesday morning at her home in Brooklyn, New York, according to a statement from her representatives.According to the NYPD, officers found her "unconscious and unresponsive" at her home around 7:50 am on Tuesday. Emergency medical services pronounced her dead at the scene, but as of now, the cause of death remains unknown and is pending an autopsy by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner Burrell was a familiar face on the Food Network and was best known as the long-time host of Worst Cooks in America. Her family described her as “a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend – her smile lit up every room she entered”.“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,” the family added, according to People.Burrell’s fans admired her for more than just her cooking skills. Her big personality, signature laugh and genuine enthusiasm made her stand out in the world of culinary television. Over the years, she became a staple of Food Network programming, featuring in Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star and most recently in House of Knives, which premiered in March 2025.

Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell developed an early passion for cooking. She often credited her mother’s home meals and the influence of television legend Julia Child as early inspirations.She first studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo before deciding to pursue cooking professionally. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996, later refining her skills in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners.

There, she completed apprenticeships and fell in love with Italian culinary traditions.On her return to New York City, she worked in some of the city’s top kitchens, including Felidia under Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in SoHo, focusing on Mediterranean cuisine. In the early 2000s, she shifted to teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education before stepping into television.Audiences were introduced to her on Iron Chef America, where she appeared as a sous chef.

Her charisma and cooking ability earned her a solo role with Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which debuted in 2008 and ran for nine seasons. The show earned her an Emmy nomination.Outside of television, Burrell authored two cookbooks. Her 2011 release Cook Like a Rock Star became a New York Times bestseller, and she followed it up with Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.Burrell was also committed to giving back. She served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, worked as a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and was a dedicated member of City Harvest’s Food Council.Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, her sister Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.