Anne Burrell sent a truly heartbreaking message to a fan who asked why she was missing from ‘Worst Cooks In America’ before she died.
Anne Burrell, the spiky-haired culinary firecracker of the Food Network, has died at the age of 55 — leaving fans stunned and colleagues devastated.
Anne’s accomplishments highlighted.
Born in upstate New York, Burrell studied at the Culinary Institute of America and Italy’s Culinary Institute for Foreigners — mastering classical techniques.
She worked under legendary chefs including Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali, honing her trademark brash, fearless cooking style.
In 2011, she released her first cookbook, Cook Like a Rock Star, which shot to New York Times bestseller status.
Her second book, Own Your Kitchen, followed in 2013 — cementing her as both a culinary authority and a relatable kitchen coach.
The 55-year-old was a mainstay of the Food Network, famous for her roles on “Iron Chef America,” “Chef Wanted,” and “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.”
Her Emmy-nominated “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” ran for nine seasons, catapulting her to household fame in the early 2000s.
Burrell became a familiar face for her flamboyant personality, wild hair, and unapologetically bold dishes — always with a splash of sass.
Her friends say she was exactly who she appeared to be: honest, vibrant, and devoted to food, friends, and family.
Her sudden death has left fans and colleagues reeling, with tributes pouring in.
Tributes for Anne clarified.
“Worst Cooks in America” viewers quickly feared the worst, and within hours, her family released a public statement confirming her tragic death.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” the statement read.
“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,” her family added in a tear-jerking tribute.
In a wave of grief, the Food Network remembered her as a “remarkable person and culinary talent” who brought joy through food.
“Anne taught, competed, inspired — and she always reminded us that a great meal could change your day,” the network shared in a heartfelt release.
Chef Tyler Florence, her co-host on Worst Cooks, said she “lit up every room” and that his daughter called her “my favorite chef.”
“We shared many adventures filming together,” Florence said. “She brought patience, wit, and the perfect amount of sass to teaching.”
Anne’s last appearance detailed.
Burrell’s last public appearance was just days before her death, when she shared a smiling Instagram photo alongside Brooklyn’s Green Lady.
“I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute,” Burrell joked in the caption — that now reads like an eerie goodbye.
On June 12, she looked radiant and energetic, posing for fans in her neighborhood — her signature bleach-blonde mane untamed.
Just days earlier, she’d been seen laughing and dining with fellow chefs Franklin Becker and Elizabeth Falkner at Soho House in NYC.
New details on Anne’s death confirmed.
Anne Burrell was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her Brooklyn home around 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17.
NYPD and EMS responded quickly, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to official reports.
Police withheld her identity at first, pending notification of her loved ones.
While the exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, early reports suggest she may have gone into cardiac arrest.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Burrell had appeared in good health just days earlier, smiling in an Instagram post with the Green Lady of Brooklyn.
Even more shockingly, she had just announced a new culinary partnership with CareRite Centers the day before her passing.
The initiative aimed to improve food quality in rehabilitation and nursing facilities, marking a major career pivot.
Official reports pending.
Now, her tight-knit family, including her mother Marlena and siblings Jane and Ben, are mourning the sudden, still-mysterious loss.
Police are not currently treating the death as suspicious, but details remain limited pending official reports.
For now, fans, friends, and fellow chefs alike are left to grapple with the bombshell loss of a woman who made kitchens feel like home — and who’s gone far too soon.
Fans also noticed she was missing from the celebrity edition of ‘Worst Cooks In America’ before she died.
“Why aren’t you in Worst Cooks? It’s not the same,” one fan wrote at the time, with Burrell cryptically responding, “Honestly I don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️😑❤️.”