Anne Burrell’s Worst Cooks in America Co-Stars Pay Tribute Following Her Death

Anne Burrell’s Worst Cooks in America co-stars are paying tribute following the shocking news of her death.

The celebrity chef served as a mentor on the Food Network cooking competition show for 27 seasons, from 2010 to 2024. Each season, Burrell mentored the Blue Team, while another famous foodie captained the Red Team.

The goal was to put their group of “worst cooks in America” through culinary boot camp, with one team ultimately winning the final challenge: cooking a restaurant-quality, three-course meal for three professional food critics.

Over the years, Burrell squared off against some heavy hitters as her rival captains, and nearly all of the celebrity chefs have taken to social media to pay tribute following the news of her death at 55 on Tuesday, June 17.

Rachael Ray, who appeared on four seasons of the show, posted a touching testimonial about her friend and fellow chef, whom she described as a “strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love.”

“I’ll miss her friendship deeply,” she added. “Everyone whose life she touched will miss her. Sending love to Stuart and everyone who knew and loved Anne. We’ve lost someone truly special.”

Another of Burrell’s closest Food Network pals, Alex Guarnaschelli, also shared a heartfelt tribute, alongside a slideshow of photos set to Sia’s “Chandelier.” She praised her late friend’s “genuine, unbridled gusto” for life and love, as well as her culinary prowess: “Those high standards, pirate cooking lore and recipe repertoire will live on in kitchens everywhere.”

“No comments needed. Make this moment about her,” she continued. “She’d want you to go out, raise a glass, sing karaoke (including this Sia song–one of her favorite Worst Cooks warm up songs) and be able to say, like she does, #ilovewhatido –so do it for her. In her honor.”

Robert Irvine, who was the Red Team captain for two seasons of Worst Cooks, shared a lengthy tribute post, noting that he was “stunned and deeply saddened” by the news of Burrell’s death.

“Anne wasn’t just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered,” Irvine wrote. “From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fueled by mutual respect: I’d risk bleaching my hair; she’d risk losing hers. An epic wager that epitomized her unbeatable spirit. It was a wager I ultimately lost, but I couldn’t imagine losing to a more fierce competitor.”

“Outside of Worst Cooks, I came to know her as a generous and supportive colleague and an even better friend,” he continued. “Rest in peace, Chef. Your legacy as a champion of food, kindness, and empowerment will continue to inspire. Thank you for every lesson, every challenge, and every glorious moment. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”

Beau MacMillan, Burrell’s first-ever challenger on season 1 of the show, posted a throwback publicity photo of the two and a heartfelt message.

“Some of the most fun and best memories are with you,” he wrote, “from the days before Worst Cooks ,,, to all the years after ,,, how honored I was to be your friend ! God speed Anne.”

Michael Symon, who co-starred with Burrell on the “Best of the Worst” season of Worst Cooks in 2021, wrote, “Rest easy chef .. you have gone way too soon .. a cooks cook who was as competitive as anyone I knew .. your love for teaching & zaniness was unmatched.”

“Much love to your family,” he continued. “Hope you are in a happy place where socks don’t match, highlighters are plentiful & Rangers hockey is on 24/7.”

Top Chef alum Carla Hall appeared on only one season of Worst Cooks, but wrote about how she “absolutely loved working with Anne.”

“She was a fierce chef and instructor—rocking her custom skirts, mismatched socks, and that unforgettable big smile,” Hall shared. “Anne, you brought so much heart and heat to every kitchen. You. Will. Be. Missed. 🙏🏽❤️.”

Jeff Mauro, who competed on three seasons of Worst Cooks, including the most recent, shared that Burrell was “a special soul and a force of nature.”

“We made a lot of wild television together, and our long friendship was filled with even wilder stories. Too many to count and almost too special to share here,” he wrote. “God bless you Anne and God bless your beautiful family. We will all miss you terribly.”

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Burrell was found unresponsive on Tuesday, June 17, at her home in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The celebrity chef 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; Jane’s 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.”