Anne Burrell, the beloved culinary personality known for her spiky blond hair and dynamic energy on the Food Network, has passed away at the age of 55.
According to TMZ, emergency responders discovered the celebrity chef unresponsive at her Brooklyn home on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Paramedics attempted to revive her but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The city’s medical examiner is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier. She also leaves behind her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane; her brother, Ben; and her children, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
In a heartfelt family statement, they shared: “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.”
That warmth was evident even in her final days, as she stayed active online and remained her joyful self.
Just five days before her passing, on June 12, Burrell posted cheerfully on Instagram: “I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!! I’m not going to lie — I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!! #ilovewhatido #luckygirl 💚💚💚.”
In April, she offered one of her last in-depth reflections on cooking during an interview with TastingTable.
Burrell spoke passionately about the emotional bond between a cook and their food — a concept that guided her throughout her career: “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly,” she said.
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She championed the idea that cooking should be joyful, not stressful. While mentoring beginners on Worst Cooks in America, she focused on creating a fun, supportive environment. Her mission was to boost people’s kitchen confidence by embracing mistakes as part of the learning process.
She also emphasized the importance of discipline and preparation. “Find a recipe for it. Don’t just try to wing it. Find a recipe, read several recipes and pick out the one that you feel most comfortable with or the one that you like the best, and then read it from beginning to end before you start cooking,” she advised.
Burrell believed in the power of kitchen organization. She urged cooks to prepare ingredients ahead of time — practicing mise en place — and to clean up as they go to keep things stress-free. This method, she explained, helps avoid chaos and makes cooking more enjoyable. She also stressed the importance of tasting food throughout the process to achieve the right flavor.
Her genuine love for cooking and people shone through both in formal interviews and casual exchanges with fans. In January, when a follower asked on Instagram why she wasn’t appearing on Worst Cooks in America, she responded with honesty and a touch of humor: “Honestly I don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️😑❤️.”
Burrell, who grew up in Cazenovia, New York, gained fame not only from Worst Cooks in America but also as the host of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate, and Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell. She also competed on Iron Chef America.
A 1996 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she became known for her high-energy teaching style and bold personality in the kitchen.
Outside of her professional success, Burrell found joy in her personal life. In a March 2023 interview with People, she and husband Stuart Claxton reflected fondly on their relationship. “I have to say, I love being married,” Burrell said. “We’re together all the time because Stuart works from home. It’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.” Claxton added, “It’s been wonderful, to say the least.”
The two met on Bumble in 2018 and got engaged in April 2020 while quarantining with her family in Cazenovia. They married in October 2021 at Windridge Estates Redbarn 20, surrounded by loved ones, including fellow chefs and Food Network stars.
After the wedding, they moved in together for the first time, settling into a renovated apartment in Brooklyn.
“We’ve been getting the marital home set up,” Burrell shared. “And it’s just been so fun to see that all come together.”
Looking ahead, the couple had spoken of future plans full of love and laughter — from home-cooked meals to karaoke nights and new adventures. “I’m looking forward to taking a trip — just the two of us,” she said.
Source: ondoho.com