Anne Burrell, food Network host and celebrity chef, passes away at 55, her family says

Anne Burrell, a celebrity chef and beloved host on the Food Network, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 17, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn, New York, her family said. She was 55. Known for her trademark spiky platinum hair, Burrell was considered by many to be a larger-than-life personality and culinary expert.

She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married 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 obtained by PEOPLE. "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 statement informed.


Burrell, who was a fan favourite on the Food Network, was best known as the long-time host of Worst Cooks in America. During the show, 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.

Burrell was born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York. Inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals and television icon Julia Child, she discovered her love for cooking early. As far as her education is concerned, she went to Canisius College in Buffalo to study English and Communication 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, she chose to change her path and transitioned into teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education. From there eventually she made her way to television.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.

When Burrell was not engaged in the kitchen, she was deeply committed to philanthropy. She served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation. She was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and was a dedicated member of City Harvest’s Food Council.