Anne Burrell, the popular chef and TV personality, has passed away at 54 years old. The City of New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled her manner of death as suicide. Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell’s passion for cooking ignited during her childhood, inspired by her mother Marlene’s home-cooked meals and the culinary teachings of TV icon Julia Child.
Burrell furthered her culinary career at the New York City department of health and mental hygiene. There, she honed her craft under the tutelage of famed chef Lidia Bastianich. As the executive chef at Savoy in SoHo, she rose to culinary fame. She wowed guests with delicious Mediterranean-style fare, all prepared over a stunning, roaring open wood fire. This foundation sparked her dynamic career. It also made her a household name on the Food Network.
Throughout her career, Burrell became a familiar face on various Food Network shows, including “Chopped,” “Chef Wanted,” and “Food Network Star.” She was known to many as a longtime co-host of “Worst Cooks in America.” In that role, she skillfully coached home cooks through all manner of kitchen mishaps. In addition to that, Burrell wrote two cookbooks—with the second, Cook Like a Rock Star, debuting on the New York Times bestseller list.
In her most-extreme competitive spirit, Burrell competed on “House of Knives.” This breakout performance catapulted her to even greater heights within the culinary world. After several successful years in the restaurant world, she transitioned to teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education, sharing her knowledge and passion for cooking with aspiring chefs.
Burrell is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021. She is survived by Claxton’s son, Javier and her mother Marlene. Her siblings, Ben and Jane Brady, and Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas Aviz wish to express their sadness at her loss.
“substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms” – National Library of Medicine
“represents the most commonly used drug worldwide” – National Institutes of Health
