Beloved Food Network chef Anne Burrell's fans and colleagues are reeling after news broke of her unexpected death at age 55. The spiky-haired culinary personality, known for her vibrant personality and cooking expertise, passed away Tuesday morning in her Brooklyn apartment.
According to Daily Mail, police responded to a call about "an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female" at 7:50 a.m. EST on Tuesday. When Emergency Medical Services arrived, they pronounced Burrell deceased at the scene.
Burrell's family confirmed her passing in an emotional statement but did not reveal a cause of death. Her body will be autopsied by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the official cause of death.
Just four days before her death, Burrell shared what would become her final Instagram post to her 673,000 followers. The chef uploaded a selfie with a local Brooklyn icon known as "The Green Lady," whom she had encountered in her neighborhood.
In the caption, Burrell expressed her excitement about the chance meeting, writing: "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!!!" She concluded the post with the hashtags #ilovewhatido and #luckygirl.
Heartbroken fans have flooded this final post with tributes and expressions of disbelief. Comments range from "This can't be true" to "RIP ANNE! I can't believe this! We lost a good one!" as followers struggle to process the sudden loss of the chef they welcomed into their homes through television.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, who appeared with Burrell on the cooking competition "Beat Bobby Flay," was among the first celebrities to express her grief. Hadid shared a photo of herself with Burrell from their time filming together in 2023.
"I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell," Hadid wrote in an Instagram Story. "As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat. I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend."
Restaurant: Impossible star Robert Irvine shared a lengthy tribute describing Burrell as a "radiant spirit" who "will be deeply missed and never forgotten." He recalled their friendly rivalry on "Worst Cooks in America" and praised her unwavering dedication to food and mentorship.
Burrell became synonymous with her trademark spiky platinum hair and energetic teaching style on Food Network. She developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother's home cooking and television icon Julia Child.
After earning an English and Communications degree from Canisius College in Buffalo in 1991, Burrell pursued her culinary dreams at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, graduating in 1996. She honed her craft at prestigious New York City restaurants including Felidia and Savoy.
The chef rose to television fame hosting "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and co-hosting "Worst Cooks in America," which ran for 28 seasons. She also appeared on numerous other Food Network shows including "Chef Wanted," "Chopped," and "Food Network Star," with her most recent project being the competition series "House of Knives," which premiered in March 2025.
Burrell's family released a heartfelt statement confirming her passing, emphasizing the impact she had both personally and professionally. They described her as someone whose warmth extended far beyond her immediate circle.
"Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said. "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."
She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021 in an autumn-themed ceremony in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York. The couple had been married less than four years at the time of her death.
