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Anne Burrell, a beloved Food Network star and the longtime host of “Worst Cooks in America,” died on Tuesday in her New York home, her family confirmed. She was 55. “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 Food Network spokesperson said in a 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. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier.

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Burrell was well known for her spiky, bleach-blond hair and was a staple of Food Network’s programming. She hosted the cooking competition show “Worst Cooks in America” for more than a decade, mentoring less-than-skilled amateurs and turning them into capable cooks. She hosted the show from 2010 to 2024 but did not appear in the show’s most recent celebrity season.

Burrell was born in Cazenovia, New York, and attended Canisius College in Buffalo. She later enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America, and later studied cooking in Italy. She returned to the United States in 1998 and began working in restaurants.

Her celebrity career took off in the 2000s when she appeared as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America.” She eventually earned her own show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which ran for nine seasons, according to her representatives. She became a common sight across Food Network, appearing on “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped” and “Food Network Star,” among other shows.

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Most recently, she appeared on “House of Knives,” a competitive cooking show that premiered in March. Burrell also wrote two books: “Cook Like a Rock Star” and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.”

After competing in more than 200 different cooking battles in her career, Burrell told the Tasting Table in April that she always found the joy in cooking and that others should avoid being too serious with food:

Chef and popular Food Network television host Anne Burrell has died, the network and her family confirmed Tuesday. She was 55.

By: CBS News

Chef and popular Food Network television host Anne Burrell has died, the network and her family confirmed Tuesday. She was 55.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning,” the Food Network said in a statement to CBS News. “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. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

Details surrounding her death were not immediately shared.

She is survived by her husband of almost four years, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier Claxton, along with her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane.

“Anne was 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,” her family said in a statement.

The acclaimed chef from upstate New York hosted “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” for nine seasons, as well as “Worst Cooks in America,” which the Food Network says is one of its most successful series.

She appeared on a variety of popular cooking shows over the years, including “Iron Chef America,” “House of Knives,” “Chopped,” “Chopped All-Stars,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Food Network Star,” among others.

Burrell graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo with a degree in English and communications, and attended the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996. She then spent a year in Italy and attended the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, according to the Food Network. When she returned to the United States in 1998, she was hired at Felidia Ristorante in Manhattan as sous chef, and would later go on to become chef at SoHo’s Savoy.

Following her years working in restaurants, Burrell became a teacher at the Institute of Culinary Education, where she taught for more than three years before beginning her career in television and becoming a beloved staple on the Food Network.

Her book “Cook Like a Rock Star” became a New York Times top 10 bestseller. She also wrote “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.”

Burrell was an advocate for juvenile diabetes awareness and was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, according to the Food Network. She also served on the advisory board for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit that brings life-changing opportunities for young people in need. Burrell also served on City Harvest’s Food Council, a New York City food rescue program.

Chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell died Tuesday morning at age 55, the cooking show channel announced.

“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,” the Food Network wrote in an Instagram post.

Burrell died in her home in Brooklyn, New York, the cooking show channel said in a press release. Her cause of death has not yet been shared with the public.

Born and raised in New York, Burrell first appeared on the Food Network in 2005 as a sous chef for celebrity chef Mario Batali on “Iron Chef America.” Later on, she became a host on the channel, helming “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” and “Worst Cooks in America.”

Burrell is survived by her husband, mother and sister, as well as many other cherished relatives and friends. Many Food Network fans have already taken to social media to express sorrow at her death.

‘Worst Cooks In America’ Host Anne Burrell Dies At 55

Anne Burrell, Food Network star and beloved host of “Worst Cooks in America?” has died at 55.

She passed away at her Brooklyn home on June 17, her reps confirmed.

“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” her family shared. “Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”

Burrell was known for her spiky platinum hair, vibrant energy, and culinary prowess. She made her mark with “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” “Worst Cooks,” and appearances on “Iron Chef America” and “Chopped.”

Most recently, she starred in “House of Knives,” which premiered in March.

Burrell studied at the Culinary Institute of America and trained in Italy, later working under Lidia Bastianich. A bestselling author and philanthropist, she supported causes like City Harvest and JDRF.

“I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others,” she once said.

Prayers to her family during this tragedy.