On Tuesday, Anne Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn home at age 55. In the days since, tributes have poured in from Burrell’s fellow Food Network stars, who remembered the celebrity chef for her fun-loving personality and expertise in the kitchen.
In an Instagram story on Wednesday, Bobby Flay – who co-hosted Worst Cooks in America with Burrell – paid tribute to her memory. “Worst Cooks in America was the funnest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride,” Flay wrote.
Her impact on him went beyond the professional, Flay added. The “greatest gift” he said he got from Burrell “was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats,” including his own cat, Nacho. “A gift that I’ll have forever,” he wrote, alongside a photo of Burrell hugging her two pet cats.
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Flay was one of the many celebrity chefs that have shared their memories of Burrell following her death. Rachael Ray – who was a bridesmaid in Burrell’s wedding in 2021 – remembered her as “such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman” and said she would “miss her friendship deeply.” Tyler Florence, who also co-hosted Worst Cooks in America with Burrell, called their close friendship a “true gift.”
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and her stepson, Javier, among other family members. Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but per NBC, the fire department said they responded to a report of cardiac arrest at her address that day, and said the unnamed individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
