Anne Burrell has died. Known for her sky-high bleach-blonde hair and blunt culinary criticism on Food Network’s Worst Cooks In America, Burrell was a popular celebrity chef who broke through as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Per People, her representatives confirmed Burrell died on June 17 at her home in Brooklyn. She was 55.
“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.”
Burrell was a perfect fit for the personality-driven shows on Food Network. Rising to prominence alongside fellow spiky blond chef Guy Fieri, she made her Network debut as a sous chef on Iron Chef America before landing her series, Secrets Of A Restaurant Chef, in 2008. The show allowed Burrell to put her culinary charisma upfront as she taught viewers to use restaurant-industry techniques at home. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Culinary Program in 2011.
In 2010, Burrell began hosting her longest-running and most popular series, Worst Cooks In America. The show set good-natured, gentle ribbing against an intense “culinary bootcamp” set to a gameshow’s pace, forcing the self-proclaimed worst cooks to get in the kitchen and impress Burrell, who often pulled from the tough-love school of culinary technique. Around this time, Burrell began appearing more regularly on the Food Network’s galaxy of shows, popping up on Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Guy’s Grocery Games as a panelist and judge.
Burrell was born in Cazenovia, New York, on September 21, 1955. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America before moving to Italy to study at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. When she returned to the United States, Burrell worked in several prestigious kitchens and began teaching at the Culinary Institute. Her connections in the restaurant world led her to Mario Batali, who recommended her for Iron Chef.
Burrell is survived by her husband, step-son, mother, sister, brother, nieces, and nephews.
