Celebrity chef and television personality Anne Burrell has died at the age of 55 after being found unresponsive in her Brooklyn apartment.
The Food Network star, best known for helming Worst Cooks in America, was discovered unconscious on the morning of June 17, according to New York police.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
In a statement released by her family, Burrell was remembered as a “beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend,” adding: “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.”
Tributes poured in from across the food and entertainment worlds, with the Food Network describing her passing as a “tremendous loss.”
“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 statement read.
“Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
Burrell launched her TV career in 2005 with a pilot taping of Iron Chef America and went on to become a familiar face to audiences.
She then hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and spent 15 years of mentoring amateur cooks on Worst Cooks in America.
The long-running series spanned 28 seasons and nearly 200 episodes, including celebrity editions.
A classically trained chef who worked in restaurants across Italy in her twenties, Burrell was known for her energetic presence and signature spiky blond hair.
She married partner Stuart Claxton in 2021 after meeting on a dating app, and previously spoke of the joy she found in their relationship.
“I have to say, I love being married,” she told People in April 2023. “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.”
Burrell’s final episodes of Worst Cooks in America aired earlier this year.
