Food Network Stars and Guests Pay Tribute to Worst Cooks in America Host Anne Burrell After Her Death

Carla Hall, Wells Adams, Gigi Hadid and more are paying tribute to Anne Burrell, who died at 55 on Tuesday, June 17.

Burrell was a beloved star chef on the Food Network, where she hosted Worst Cooks in America, a show in which she mentored culinarily challenged chefs for success. She first appeared on the Food Network as a sous chef on Iron Chef America.

She later hosted the Emmy-nominated show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons. From there, Burrell became a Food Network staple, also appearing on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, the competition series House of Knives, which just premiered in March 2025.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning,” Food Network shared in an Instagram post Tuesday. “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. Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

“I’m heartbroken to hear about Anne’s passing,” Hall, who appeared on Top Chef, wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “She was fierce, funny, and an incredibly talented cook and teacher—someone who brought so much fire and joy to everything she did. I was lucky to work alongside her on Worst Cooks and other nonprofit events. She will be deeply missed.”

Adams, a Bachelor Nation alum who appeared on Worst Cooks, shared a photo with Burrell from a previous Food Network appearance on his Instagram Story. “I just heard about the passing of @chefanneburrell. I learned so much from you on Worst Cooks. I know you’ll be cooking up a storm in heaven. RIP,” he wrote.

“I had the great fortune of working with Anne on shows like Worst Cooks in America and BBQ Brawl where she shared her passion for food with the cast, crew and countless fans,” Queer Eye alum Carson Kressley wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “She was an amazing chef and teacher. She loved people and her cooking was a way of showing that.”

Kressley continued, “Outside of work, we became good friends-even traveling to Italy last summer with a group of friends and family. She was fierce and fun and joyous about life. I’ll carry so many great memories of her with me. And I’m holding her family close to my heart at this incredibly sad time.”

Tyler Florence, Burrell’s Former co-host on Worst Cooks, shared, “Anne was a legendary chef and an even better friend. She was the kind of person who showed up — for dinners, our kids birthday parties, or a swim in the ocean — and lit up every room she walked in to. I’ll never forget when our daughter Dorothy told me Anne was her favorite chef — we always got a kick out of that.”

Florence continued, “We shared many adventures, especially during our years filming Worst Cooks in America. She had a true gift for teaching people how to cook — with patience, wit and just the right amount of sass. I’ll always picture Anne in her dressing room, knitting between takes, with one of her cats wandering in to say hello. She brought her generous heart, humor and feisty spirit to everything she did. She will be deeply missed by the entire Florence Family.”

Gigi Hadid, who once guest-starred on Food Network with Burrell, shared a photo of the two on her Instagram Story. “I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell,” Hadid added. “As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat. I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.”

Alec Mapa, who appeared opposite Tonya Harding on Worst Cooks, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “Chef Anne Burrell’s passion and curiosity for all things cuisine was endearing and inspirational as she was.”

“Anne, your passion, energy, and love for food lit up every kitchen. You were a true force and a beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Chef 🤍 We’ll miss you dearly,” Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro wrote on Instagram.

“Ms. Anne it was SUCH a pleasure .. I promise to never hold another knife wrong or I’ll imagine your red mark on my finger 😂. You truly were incredible… R.I.P. #anneburrell 😔,” Ebie, Eazy-E’s daughter and a Worst Cooks guest star, wrote on Instagram.

Born on Sept. 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, N.Y., Burrell discovered her love for cooking early, inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals and television icon, Julia Child.

She studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo before pursuing a culinary career at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated from in 1996.

Burrell died on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, at her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was 55. The cause of death was not immediately released.

Reps for the star announced Burrell’s death in a release obtained by PEOPLE.

Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she wed on Oct. 16, 2021, and his son, Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.

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