Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’ host was 55

Anne Burrell, the celebrity chef best known for hosting Worst Cooks in America on Food Network, has died.

The beloved chef and TV personality died at age 55 in her home in Brooklyn, N.Y., a representative for Food Network told Entertainment Weekly. PEOPLE was first to report the news.

“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” the chef’s family said in a statement to EW. “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.”

A representative from Food Network also memorialized Burrell in a statement. “Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring,” the spokesperson wrote. “Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

Born in Cazenovia, N.Y., in 1969, Burrell studied at the Culinary Institute of America and Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Asti, Italy, in the 1990s. After working in Tuscany, she became the sous chef at Lidia Bastianich’s restaurant Felidia and later became a chef at Savoy in Soho in New York City.

Burrell was later named the chef for Italian Wine Merchants by Joseph Bastianich and Mario Batali, the latter of whom brought her onto her first TV project when he named her his sous chef on Iron Chef America in 2005. She then headlined the Food Network series Secrets of a Restaurant Chef beginning in 2008. The series ultimately ran for nine seasons. 

In 2010, she starred on the inaugural season of the network’s competition series Worst Cooks in America alongside Beau MacMillan. Burrell remained on the series for a whopping 27 seasons through 2024, mentoring a new team of inexperienced cooks through culinary boot camp every season.

Burrell’s constant presence was the most consistent element on the series, as MacMillan was replaced by a rotating series of costars including Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, and Tyler Florence.

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The chef ultimately missed her first season of Worst Cooks earlier this year with season 28, which was a celebrity season subtitled Heroes vs. Villains. Antonia Lofaso and Jeff Mauro served as team leaders on that season.

Burrell was also a mainstay on Beat Bobby Flay, the competition series that saw two celebrity chefs sponsor contestants who attempt to vanquish her former Worst Cooks costar in culinary battle.

The chef also appeared on The Next Iron Chef in 2011, but was ultimately eliminated after six weeks on the show.

Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son, Javier.