As the food industry reels, friends and fellow celebrities honour the late famous chef, with one even remembering their last time together before she passed away.
The culinary community is still feeling the effects of grief as tributes to Anne Burrell keep coming in. Her compassion, bravery, and the deep connections she cultivated over her career are being remembered by her fellow chefs and TV celebrities.
Shirley Chung, a “Top Chef” graduate, shared a number of images on Instagram,
the privilege of cooking with her.
The two chefs posing backstage, Burrell plating dishes in the middle of a competition, and the crew unwinding between takes while knitting, munching, and joking were all examples of the series’ moments of camaraderie.
In one photo, Burrell was seen with the cast and crew blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. Another showed her smiling and extending her hand in her trademark enthusiastic gesture while sitting confidently in a theatrical set chair.
In disbelief over the loss, Chung recalled one of their final conversations, “We were just texting about eating tacos and knitting blankets last week, we were going to celebrate our new life….”
“30-Minute Meals” star Rachael Ray also expressed her grief in a deeply personal message. “The news about Anne has truly shaken us. John and I are heartbroken. I can’t quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon,” she wrote.
Ray considered how their working connection, which began during several seasons of “Worst Cooks in America,” progressively developed into a deep and passionate friendship. She reminisced about how much fun they had working together and recalled how Burrell had cooked a special dinner for her wedding anniversary in Italy.
According to Ray, one instance that encapsulated Burrell’s lively personality was when he arrived early at the Food Network studios and heard music reverberating through the corridors. This was the late chef’s method of kicking out the day with vigour and excitement.
Their connection was further demonstrated when Burrell asked Ray to be a bridesmaid, an honour Ray had hitherto only given to her sister.
Other chefs and personalities paid their respects. According to Carla Hall, another “Top Chef” star, Burrell was “fierce, funny, and an incredibly talented cook and teacher,” adding “fire and joy” to all of his endeavours, according to People. Hall expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her on “Worst Cooks” and on charitable endeavours.
“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” star Carson Kressley, who collaborated with Burrell on “Worst Cooks in America” and “BBQ Brawl,” described her as a passionate chef whose cooking expressed her love for people.
“She was an amazing chef and teacher,” he stated. “She loved people and her cooking was a way of showing that.”
New information regarding the circumstances behind Burrell’s unexpected death has surfaced as friends and coworkers continue to pay respect to her life and impact. Stuart Claxton, Burrell’s husband, found her unconscious in the shower of her New York City home early on Tuesday morning, according to TMZ.
Claxton last saw her alive at 1 a.m., according to law enforcement sources, and found her dead six to seven hours later. He dialled 911 right away to get help.
Claxton was told to start CPR by emergency dispatchers, but by the time he arrived, the report states that her body was already cold. Whether any attempts at resuscitation were undertaken is still unknown.
The incident was first reported as a cardiac arrest, according to a New York City Fire Department official. The medical examiner is still investigating the official cause of death.
Emergency personnel discovered Burrell unconscious in her house, as previously stated, and paramedics tried but failed to resuscitate her. At the scene, she was declared deceased.
Claxton and his kid, Javier, survive Burrell. Her siblings, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas, as well as her mother, Marlene, sister, Jane, and brother, Ben, are all left behind.
In a statement, her family said, “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.”
Even in her last days, she maintained her public persona and her usual joy, demonstrating her warmth.
Just five days before her death, Burrell shared a cheerful post on Instagram on June 12. “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,” she wrote.
In an interview with TastingTable in April, she shared what would turn out to be one of her last in-depth thoughts on her culinary philosophy.
Burrell spoke about the emotional relationship between a cook and their food, an idea that shaped her approach both on and off-screen. “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly,” she said.
Cooking should be fun, not scary, in her opinion. When working with novices on “Worst Cooks in America,” she placed a strong emphasis on fostering a positive atmosphere. By emphasising enjoyment over fear, she aimed to give individuals confidence in the kitchen. Her approach was positive, and she inspired others to view mistakes as a necessary component of learning.
She also valued 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 stressed the importance of maintaining order in the kitchen. To lessen stress and maintain a seamless procedure, she suggested mise en place, or prepping all components ahead of time, and cleaning as you go. This method makes cooking more peaceful and helps prevent a mess. She also emphasised the importance of tasting food while cooking to guarantee the right flavour.
Burrell’s commitment to encouragement, authenticity, and sharing her passion was evident both in her final interview and in her casual interactions with fans. In January, when asked on Instagram why she wasn’t appearing on the “Worst Cooks in America,” she responded candidly, “Honestly I don’t know.”
In addition to “Worst Cooks in America,” the Cazenovia native was widely recognized for hosting “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” “All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate,” and “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell.” She also made appearances on “Iron Chef America.”
She earned a reputation for her enthusiastic teaching style and unreserved culinary flair after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996.
In addition to her career accomplishments, Burrell frequently talked about how happy she was in her personal life. In an interview with People in March 2023, she and her spouse, Claxton, discussed their relationship.
Burrell shared, “I have to say, I love being married. 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 remarked, “It’s been wonderful, to say the least.”
While in quarantine with Burrell’s family in Cazenovia, New York, the couple got engaged in April 2020 after meeting on Bumble in 2018. In October 2021, they were married at Windridge Estates Redbarn 20 in front of their loved ones and close friends, including TV personalities and other Food Network chefs.
Their post-wedding chapter included moving in together for the first time and settling into a renovated apartment in Brooklyn. “We’ve been getting the marital home set up,” Burrell said. “And it’s just been so fun to see that all come together.”
Looking ahead, the couple spoke about their hopes for more shared experiences, from home-cooked meals to karaoke nights and travel. “I’m looking forward to taking a trip — just the two of us,” Burrell added.
