Anne W. Burrell (September 21, 1969 – June 17, 2025) was a beloved American chef, Food Network personality, and teacher whose culinary passion and electric charisma turned her into one of the most recognizable figures in food television.
Early Life and Culinary Roots
Born in Cazenovia, New York, Anne’s love of cooking was sparked by her mother’s home-cooked meals and Julia Child’s television shows. After earning a BA in English and Communications from Canisius College in 1991, she followed her true calling to the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996. She later studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Asti, Italy, where she immersed herself in traditional Italian cuisine.
Restaurant Career
After working in Tuscany, she returned to New York City and became sous-chef at Felidia under Lidia Bastianich, then executive chef at Savoy. She later taught at the Institute of Culinary Education and became chef at Italian Wine Merchants. In 2007, she led Centro Vinoteca in NYC’s West Village. She opened Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge in Brooklyn in 2017, which closed the following year.
Television Career
Anne rose to national fame as Mario Batali’s sous-chef on Iron Chef America and quickly became a Food Network staple. Her Emmy-nominated show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons. She later hosted Worst Cooks in America, Chef Wanted, and appeared on Chopped, Food Network Star, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and House of Knives (2025).
She competed on The Next Iron Chef and won two Chopped All-Stars tournaments—earning $75,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in one of them.
Writing and Teaching
A natural teacher, Anne mentored chefs on-screen and in classrooms. Her cookbooks, Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen, became New York Times bestsellers and reflected her signature mix of confidence, technique, and fun.
Personal Life
Anne married Stuart Claxton in 2021 after meeting on Bumble. She became stepmother to his son, Javier. Anne is also survived by her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane; her brother, Ben; and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas from extended family.
She previously shared a relationship with chef Koren Grieveson and was open about her LGBTQ identity, becoming a visible role model in the food industry.
Philanthropy
Anne was committed to causes including the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and City Harvest. She often used her platform to raise awareness and give back.
Final Days
Anne passed away at her home in Brooklyn on June 17, 2025, at the age of 55. Police responded to a 7:50 a.m. EST call regarding “an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female.”
An unconfirmed media report on June 18 suggested she may have suffered a cardiac arrest. A second report on June 19, said her body was found next to “dozens of pills”.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) pronounced Anne deceased at the scene. Her family later confirmed her sudden passing in an emotional statement, although a cause of death has been officially disclosed. It is not known whether she had any pre-existing medical conditions.
Just four days before her death, Burrell appeared upbeat and full of life in what would become her final Instagram post to her 673,000 followers. She shared a smiling selfie with The Green Lady — a beloved Brooklyn icon known for her all-green attire and hair — after a chance meeting on the street.
“I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!!” she wrote. “I’m not going to lie — I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!!”
Burrell ended the caption with the hashtags #ilovewhatido and #luckygirl, offering a glimpse of gratitude and joy in her final public message.
Her family described her as someone whose light “radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.”
Cause of Death
Anne Burrell’s cause of death may be cardiac arrest. Burrell’s body is being autopsied by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, who will make the official determination.
Funeral arrangements
Anne Burrell was cremated and her ashes were given to her family. A record of her passing is available at FindAGrave.com.
Notable Tributes
cremated
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequnetly asked questions about Anne Burrell, her life, death, legacy and funeral details
An official cause of death was not immediately released, however media reports suggest she suffered a cardiac arrest. An autopsy is expected to confirm that information.
She passed away at her home in Brooklyn, New York.
Yes, she married Stuart Claxton in 2021.
She was a stepmother to Javier Claxton and had close relationships with extended family children.
Yes. She authored two bestselling cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen.
You can view Anne Burrell’s online memorial at FindAGrave.com.
Her signature shows included Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Worst Cooks in America, Chef Wanted, and Chopped.
Yes—she won two Chopped All-Stars tournaments and was a finalist on The Next Iron Chef.
She supported Garden of Dreams Foundation, City Harvest, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Rooted in rustic Italian tradition, she emphasized bold flavors, classic technique, and fearless home cooking.
It has not been disclosed whether she had any pre-existing condition(s) or illnesses. By all accounts it appeared as if she was well and healthy before she died at age 55.
According to FindaGrave.com, Anne was cremated and her ashes were returned to her family.